System and method for changing security behavior of a device based on proximity to another device

ABSTRACT

The security and convenience of a mobile communication device is enhanced based on a separate key device. If the key device is near the mobile communication device, the mobile communication device may be automatically unlocked without the user having to input an unlock code. The mobile communication device may be automatically unlocked into a first mode having a first level of functionality. If the user inputs a correct unlock code, the mobile communication device may be unlocked into a second mode having a second level of functionality, greater than the first level of functionality.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This patent application claims priority to U.S. provisional patentapplication 61/779,968, filed Mar. 13, 2013, which is incorporated byreference along with all other references cited in this application.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to the field of information technology,including, more particularly, to systems and techniques for changing asecurity characteristic of a component based on a location of anothercomponent.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Mobile electronic communication devices have evolved beyond simpletelephone functionality and are now highly complex multifunctionaldevices with capabilities rivaling those of desktop or laptop computers.In addition to voice communications, many mobile communication devicesare capable of text messaging, e-mail communications, internet access,and the ability to run full-featured application software. Mobilecommunication devices can use these capabilities to perform onlinetransactions such as banking, stock trading, payments, and otherfinancial activities. Furthermore, mobile communication devices used byan individual, a business, or a government agency often storeconfidential or private information in forms such as electronicdocuments, text messages, access codes, passwords, account numbers,e-mail addresses, personal communications, phone numbers, and financialinformation.

Typically, when a mobile communication device has not been used for aperiod of time or when it is powered on, it is placed in a locked modeto prevent unauthorized use and to protect the device owner's privateinformation stored on the device. In order to unlock the device, a usertypically must enter an unlock password. In most cases, the device'sowner creates the password, which is some combination of characters on akeyboard. When a strong, i.e., difficult to guess, password is created,the device and its contents can be better protected from malicious use.

In addition to protecting electronic devices from unauthorized and/ormalicious use, passwords also protect user accounts and/or applicationsprovided by cloud-based online services and/or application servers. Forexample, as noted above, online banking, payments, and financialservices are common, and electronic access to those services andaccounts are also password protected. Because many of those accountsprovide access to private and sensitive information and significantopportunity for malfeasance, strong password protection is highlyrecommended, if not required.

Creating strong and long passwords for the user's electronic devices andfor the user's online accounts enhances user security and preventsothers from misappropriating the user's information. These passwords,however, usually take more time to enter, and are usually difficult toenter correctly. Because of this, the user might be tempted todeactivate the locking mode and/or to create a simple, i.e., weak,password—thereby sacrificing security for convenience. This isundesirable.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

According to an embodiment, a system for automatically unlocking anelectronic device based on the detection of the presence of anotherdevice (referred to as a “key device”) is provided. In this embodiment,when the presence of the key device is detected by the electronic device(referred to as a “target device”), a user of the target device ispresumably in proximity to the target device and the target device canautomatically change its state from locked to unlocked; and so long asthe key device is within a specified distance and/or so long as theuser's presence is detected within the specified distance, the targetdevice can suppress the lock mechanism. In an embodiment, the key devicecan be a dedicated device. In another embodiment, the key device can beembedded into another personal electronic device associated with theuser, e.g., a smart phone, a car fob, or any other personal itemtypically carried by the user.

According to an embodiment, when the presence of the key device/user isdetected, the target device can be configured to launch specifiedfeatures provided by the target device, or provided by other servicescontrolled by the target device. In an embodiment, the specifiedfeatures and/or services can be associated with the key device, wheredifferent key devices can launch different features and/or services. Forexample, different features and/or services can be provided by thetarget device to a first user (parent) than to a second user (child).

In an embodiment, when the presence of the key device and/or of the useris no longer detected by the target device, the target device canautomatically change its security behavior to protect the resources ofthe device. For instance, the target device can enter a locked mode orcan enter a sleep/hibernate mode which requires log in credentials toawaken the device.

In a specific embodiment, the security and convenience of a mobilecommunication device is enhanced based on a separate key device. If thekey device is near the mobile communication device, the mobilecommunication device may be automatically unlocked without the userhaving to input an unlock code. The mobile communication device may beautomatically unlocked into a first mode having a first level offunctionality. If the user inputs a correct unlock code, the mobilecommunication device may be unlocked into a second mode having a secondlevel of functionality, greater than the first level of functionality.

Authentication methods used today on mobile devices, laptops or tablets,websites, web apps, or other systems are inconvenient to the user, mayhave high implementation costs, and have security weaknesses; i.e., theyare not as secure as they could be. To perform authentication of a user,the user can provide something that the user knows (for example, a PINor password or answer to a secret question), or something that the useris (for example, a biometric such as a fingerprint, or a retinal scan,or a DNA sample or an electrocardiogram, or a brainwave, or the user'sface for a facial recognition system, or an observable behavioral traitsuch as the user's gait while walking or the result of the user creatinga signature with a pen), or something that the user has (a key card, asmart card, a device such as a smartphone, an RFID or NFC tag, aphysical key that unlocks a physical lock, etc.). The above forms ofuser authentication may be used in combination with each other for amore stringent level of authentication. But the conflict betweenconvenience and cost versus strength of security for authenticationsystems has traditionally led to authentication system implementationsthat have sacrificed strength of security for increased user convenienceand lowered implementation cost. The user convenience factor has becomemore important over the years as users are called upon to interact withmore and more different systems to accomplish work and personal tasks,and as users are employing more devices (smartphones, tablets, PCs,smart watches, and so on) to access them, thus requiring very manyseparate authentication events during a user's day.

The first of the three fundamental authentication techniques, having theuser provide something that the user knows, suffers greatly from theuser inconvenience factor. Users have a hard time generating orremembering long and strong passwords, and thus tend to reuse passwordsacross systems, to derive them from pieces of publicly discoverableinformation about a person (e.g., birthdate), and to keep them as shortas possible for memorization purposes. Additionally, because users haveto enter a password so many times during the day, e.g., on a smartphonewhich may be configured to lock after 5 minutes of idle time, that usersare further driven to keep their passwords very short, very easy to typein on a smartphone (not using special characters, numbers, and bothupper and lower case letters, because that is harder to type on asmartphone soft keyboard), or even to use a simple four digit PINinstead of a password, or even worse, to not have a passcode of any sorton the user's smartphone. Additionally, a user's password can quiteeasily be lost or stolen (when written down to help the user remember),can be guessed, or can be willingly lent to a person who is notauthorized to access a system. Relying only upon something that a userknows (and is willing to remember and to type in) makes for a weakauthentication system.

The second of the three fundamental authentication techniques, havingthe user provide something that the user has, suffers from theassumption that the person who is in possession of the “something” (adevice or token or other object) is in fact in authorized possession ofthe device or token or other object. But such devices, tokens, orobjects may be easily lost or stolen, or lent to a different user in awell meaning helpful gesture or as a result of a social engineeringattack. The unstated assumption of such an authentication technique isthat such loss of possession events either will not happen, or if theydo, they will quickly be discovered, suitably and promptly reported, andthe associated authentication credentials for the device, token orobject will be revoked in a timely manner. Relying only upon somethingthat a user has in an authentication system has significant weaknesses.

The third of the three fundamental authentication techniques, having theuser provide something that the user is, suffers from both the userinconvenience problem and the cost of implementation problem. While itwould be highly secure for an authentication system to employ a retinalscan or verify a DNA sample of a user, the costs of implementation havehistorically been so high as to preclude their use in all but the mostsensitive systems and impossible in mobile environments, to say nothingof the user inconvenience factor in providing this type of biometricinput.

What is needed is an authentication system which can support the userknowing and using a strong password because the user has only one suchpassword to enter, can greatly reduce user inconvenience by hardly everrequiring the user to input such a password, and can cost efficientlyuse multiple other factors for authentication while minimizing userinconvenience.

As will be discussed below, the system described in this applicationemploys user authentication in various combinations with acceptableproximity determination, acceptable person presence at and possession ofa device or token or other object, and other factors to extend the realmof what is possible in authentication, authorization, and changingsecurity and operational settings of devices. The terms “acceptableproximity,” “acceptable presence,” and “acceptable possession” areexplained further on in the specification. The system is more secureregarding the use of something the user has, by using acceptableproximity detection and person presence and possession monitoring toverify that only an authenticated user is in possession of a device ortoken or object used to aid in authentication. The system takesadvantage of the increasingly inexpensive and widely deployed sensorsystems which are integrated as part of devices such as smartphones todetect events which can indicate a person's presence at a device, oracceptable proximity of two devices to each other.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

FIG. 1 is a simplified block diagram illustrating an exemplary systemincluding an electronic device and a server coupled to a networkaccording to an embodiment;

FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating of a specific implementation of asystem of the invention according to an embodiment;

FIG. 3 is an operational flow diagram illustrating a high level overviewof a method of the invention according to an embodiment;

FIG. 4A is a block diagram illustrating an alternative implementation ofa system of the invention according to an embodiment;

FIG. 4B is a block diagram illustrating an alternative implementation ofa system of the invention according to another embodiment; and

FIG. 4C is a block diagram illustrating an alternative implementation ofa system of the invention according to yet another embodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

FIG. 1 is a simplified block diagram of a computer network 100 thatincludes a mobile communication device 101, a server system 111, andother electronic client devices 140 a-140 e, coupled to a communicationnetwork 121 via a plurality of communication links 130. Communicationnetwork 121 may be comprised of many interconnected computer systems andcommunication links. Communication links 130 may be hardwire links,optical links, satellite or other wireless communications links, wavepropagation links, or any other mechanisms for communication ofinformation. Various communication protocols may be used to facilitatecommunication between the various devices shown in FIG. 1. Thesecommunication protocols may include TCP/IP, HTTP protocols, wirelessapplication protocol (WAP), vendor-specific protocols, customizedprotocols, Internet telephony, IP telephony, digital voice, voice overbroadband (VoBB), broadband telephony, Voice over IP (VoIP), publicswitched telephone network (PSTN), and others. While in one embodiment,communication network 112 can be the Internet, in other embodiments,communication network 112 may be any suitable communication networkincluding a local area network (LAN), a wide area network (WAN), awireless network, an intranet, a private network, a public network, aswitched network, and combinations of these, and the like.

In an embodiment, the mobile device 101 includes: an operating system113, an input device 115, a radio frequency transceiver(s) 116, a visualdisplay 125, and a battery or power supply 119. Each of these componentsis coupled to a central processing unit (CPU) 103. The device operatingsystem 113 runs on the CPU 103 and enables interaction betweenapplication programs and the mobile device hardware components. In anembodiment, the mobile device 101 receives data through an RFtransceiver(s) 116 which may be able to communicate via variousnetworks, for example: BLUETOOTH, local area networks such as Wi-Fi, andcellular networks such as GSM, CDMA or LTE.

In an embodiment, a local software component 175 is an applicationprogram that is downloaded to a mobile device and installed so that itintegrates with the operating system 113. Much of the source code forthe local software component 175 can be re-used between various mobiledevice platforms by using a cross-platform software architecture. Insuch a system, the majority of software functionality can be implementedin a cross-platform core module. The cross-platform core can beuniversal allowing it to interface with various mobile device operatingsystems by using a platform-specific module and a platform abstractionmodule that both interact with the mobile device operating system 113,which is described in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/255,626,entitled “SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR A MOBILE CROSS-PLATFORM SOFTWARESYSTEM.” In another embodiment, the local software component 175 can bedevice, platform or operating system specific.

As indicated above, the mobile device 101 may operate in a networkedenvironment using logical connections 130 to one or more remote nodes111, 140 a-140 e via a communication interface. The remote node may beanother computer 140 a, a server 111, a router, a client device 140b-140 e or other common network node, and typically includes many or allof the elements described above relative to the mobile device 101. Thecommunication interface may interface with a wireless network and/or awired network. Examples of wireless networks include, for example, aBLUETOOTH network, a wireless personal area network, a wireless 802.11local area network (LAN), a near field communication (NFC), and/orwireless telephony network (e.g., a cellular, PCS, or GSM network).Examples of wired networks include, for example, a LAN, a fiber opticnetwork, a wired personal area network, a telephony network, and/or awide area network (WAN). Such networking environments are commonplace inintranets, the Internet, offices, enterprise-wide computer networks andthe like.

In an embodiment, the server 111 can be a device that the user 110 cancarry upon his person, or can keep nearby. The server 111 may have alarge battery to power long distance communications networks such as acell network or Wi-Fi. The server 111 may communicate with the othercomponents of the personal mobile device system via wired links or vialow powered short range wireless communications such as BLUETOOTH.Alternatively or in addition, one of the other components of thepersonal mobile device system may play the role of the server, e.g., thewatch 140 b, the head mounted device/glasses 140 d, the phone 140 c, thetablet 140 e, and/or the PC 140 a.

In either case, the server 111 may be kept in the user's pocket, bag, orpurse. This allows a large and therefore heavier battery to be used topower long distance network communications. The other individualcomponents require lower power to communicate with the server 111 andthus can use smaller and therefore lighter batteries. Also, this removesthe high intensity radiofrequency signals from the close vicinity of theuser's head.

It should be understood that the arrangement of mobile communicationdevice 101 illustrated in FIG. 1 is but one possible implementation andthat other arrangements are possible. It should also be understood thatthe various system components (and means) defined by the claims,described below, and illustrated in the various block diagrams representlogical components that are configured to perform the functionalitydescribed herein. For example, one or more of these system components(and means) can be realized, in whole or in part, by at least some ofthe components illustrated in the arrangement of mobile device 101. Inaddition, while at least one of these components are implemented atleast partially as an electronic hardware component, and thereforeconstitutes a machine, the other components may be implemented insoftware, hardware, or a combination of software and hardware. Moreparticularly, at least one component defined by the claims isimplemented at least partially as an electronic hardware component, suchas an instruction execution machine (e.g., a processor-based orprocessor-containing machine) and/or as specialized circuits orcircuitry (e.g., discrete logic gates interconnected to perform aspecialized function), such as those illustrated in FIG. 1. Othercomponents may be implemented in software, hardware, or a combination ofsoftware and hardware. Moreover, some or all of these other componentsmay be combined, some may be omitted altogether, and additionalcomponents can be added while still achieving the functionalitydescribed herein. Thus, the subject matter described herein can beembodied in many different variations, and all such variations arecontemplated to be within the scope of what is claimed.

In the description that follows, the subject matter will be describedwith reference to acts and symbolic representations of operations thatare performed by one or more devices, unless indicated otherwise. Assuch, it will be understood that such acts and operations, which are attimes referred to as being computer-executed, include the manipulationby the processing unit of data in a structured form. This manipulationtransforms the data or maintains it at locations in the memory system ofthe device, which reconfigures or otherwise alters the operation of thedevice in a manner well understood by those skilled in the art. The datastructures where data is maintained are physical locations of the memorythat have particular properties defined by the format of the data.However, while the subject matter is being described in the foregoingcontext, it is not meant to be limiting as those of skill in the artwill appreciate that various of the acts and operation describedhereinafter may also be implemented in hardware.

FIG. 2 is a simplified block diagram illustrating a system for changinga security behavior of a device based on proximity of another deviceaccording to an embodiment. As is shown in FIG. 2, the system includes atarget device 200 and a key device 210. In an embodiment, the targetdevice 200 can be the mobile communication device 101, any one of theother electronic client systems 140 a-140 e, or the server 111.Accordingly, the target device 200 can include a file system 203, adisplay screen 205 and an operating system 209 that supports variousdevice features 207 and/or applications 208. The key device 210 can be aportable electronic device that can be easily carried in a user'spocket, wallet, purse or other personal item. In an embodiment, the keydevice 210 can be a dedicated stand-alone device such as a card or a keychain. Alternatively, it can be integrated with another portableelectronic client device associated with the user, e.g., the user'ssmart phone, car fob, or any other personal item typically carried bythe user 110.

According to an embodiment, a user 110 of the target device 200 canspecify whether another device, e.g., the user's phone 140 c, is a keydevice 210 and if so, whether that key device 210 has full privileges orlimited privileges. Alternatively or in addition, whenever the otherdevice is detected, e.g., via BLUETOOTH or NFC technology, the targetdevice 200 can require user confirmation and can require the user 110 toindicate whether Data Loss Prevention (“DLP”) protection should be inforce for the device 200 (BLUETOOTH firewall of sorts), whetherproximity login will be enabled, and if so, whether it should be enablefor a specific time period.

For example, when a target device 200 detects a first device for thefirst time, the user 110 can indicate, in an embodiment, whether thefirst device is a key device 210, and if so, whether it triggersproximity login for an unlimited period of time, or for a limited periodof time. In addition, when the first device is initially paired with thetarget device 200 and the first device is registered as a key device210, the user 110 (or a policy provided by an administrator) can specifywhether there should be DLP protection in force for communications tothe first device, thereby preventing Personally Identifiable Information(“PII”) or other sensitive information from flowing over acommunications channel from the target device 200 to the first device210.

In an embodiment, the target device 200 includes a proximity basedcontrol system 202 and the key device 210 includes a presencecommunication module 212. According to an embodiment, the target device200 is configured to detect, via the proximity based control system, thepresence of the key device 210. In an embodiment, the target device 200can be configured to detect the presence of the key device 210 in avariety of ways.

For example, the proximity based control system 202 in the target device200 can include a proximity detection module 204 that is configured todetermine whether the key device 210 and the target device 200 areconnected to the same network 121. In an embodiment, the presencecommunication module 212 in the key device 210 can broadcast ormulticast a message to a network that it is present and/or the targetdevice 200 can broadcast or multicast a request message to the networkthat it is looking for a key device 210. When the target device 200receives the message from the key device 210 or a response to itsrequest message (from the key device 210), the proximity detectionmodule 204 can store the MAC address of the key device 210 and use ARPto determine whether its IP address is connected to a local networksegment. Alternatively, the proximity detection module 204 can perform aDNS, multicast DNS, WINS, or another network naming service lookup. Whenboth devices 200, 210 are coupled to the same Wi-Fi access point or tothe same network segment, e.g. IP block 192.168.1.1-255 with netmask255.255.255.0, they can be considered connected to the same network 121,and therefore in proximity to one another. Aspects of the systemdescribed in this patent application can be applied to determinations ofproximity of any two devices, not necessarily just a “key” device and a“target” device.

In another embodiment, when both devices 200, 210 are coupled to thesame cellular base station, e.g. micro/pico/femto cell, they can beconsidered connected to the same network 121. In yet another embodiment,both devices 200, 210 can transmit data to a server 111, and when theserver 111 determines that the devices 200, 210 are connected via thesame network 121, it can send an indication to the target 200 and/or thekey 210 devices that they are connected to the same network 121. In anembodiment, the server 111 can make this determination based on thepublic IP addresses seen as the source of traffic, based on a nearby IPaddress as seen by the server, and/or based on network-augmentation ofpackets that reports routing or location, e.g. attached in the IPheader.

When both devices 200, 210 are connected to the same network, theproximity detection module 204 can authenticate the key device 210 in anembodiment. For example, network infrastructure specific to the networkcan be used to authenticate the key device 210, e.g. using NAC, 802.1x,or using cellular network standard authentication, such as GSMauthentication. Other authentication techniques are available anddescribed below.

When the devices 200, 210 are determined to be on the same network 121and optionally authenticated, the proximity detection module 204 in thetarget device 200 can continue to monitor the presence, e.g., theconnectivity onto the network, of key device 210. For example, in anembodiment, a persistent TCP connection between the devices 200, 210 canbe maintained with short timeouts between data or keep-alivetransmissions, so that when a device leaves the network segment, bothdevices can react quickly. Alternatively or in addition, the key device210 can transmit periodic broadcast, multicast, or unicast trafficindicating its presence, and when no traffic is received for a specifiedperiod of time, the target device 200 can conclude that the key device210 has disconnected and is no longer in proximity. In anotherembodiment, a network node, e.g. a router or Wi-Fi controller, can sendmessages to the network indicating disconnection/connection events forparticular client devices. These messages may contain the identity ofthe device, e.g. determined by 802.1x, and may also be digitally signedto guarantee authenticity.

Alternatively or in addition, the target device 200 can be configured todetect the presence of the key device 210 via a peer-to-peer wirelessprotocol/network, such as BLUETOOTH and/or Near Field Communication(NFC). In an embodiment, the presence communication module 212 can beconfigured to transmit and receive various signals to announce itspresence to any listening devices. Thus, according to an embodiment, oneor both devices can page the other frequently given the other's deviceaddress via a BLUETOOTH connection over a wireless personal area network(“WPAN”), or piconet. When a key device 210 is detected, it can beauthenticated, and its proximity can be monitored. Proximity monitoringcan include, but is not limited to:

-   -   Using time delay (e.g. in GSM networks)    -   Using geolocation techniques    -   Using response time as a measure of distance    -   Using SNR or absolute signal strength    -   Periodic communications with timeout that, if reached, indicates        that the key device 210 is no longer in proximity.        Communications can be handled by a radio controller (e.g.        BLUETOOTH radio) or by application layer (e.g. if using        BLUETOOTH, can be a L2CAP Echo request or RFCOMM channel with        periodic data transmitted between devices).

According to an embodiment, the BLUETOOTH target 200 and key 210 devicescan maintain a continuous connection. This, however, consumes a largeamount of power in both devices over time. Alternatively, the targetdevice 200 can perform periodic checks at configurable time intervals toconfirm that the key device 210 is still in proximity. Alternatively orin addition, the target device 200 can be prompted to check at theoccurrence of certain events. For example, when a screen lock timerwould otherwise lock the target device 200, the target device 200 cancheck at this time to determine whether the key device 210 is still inproximity, and if so, can prevent the device lock, and if not, can allowthe device to lock. Similarly, when an unlock screen is to be presentedto the user on the device 200, the target device 200 can check at thistime to determine whether the key device 210 is still in proximity, andif so, can bypass the presentation of the unlock screen. In anotherembodiment, the target device's unlock screen can present a button onthe unlock screen to “check for key.” When the user selects this button,a check can be made for the presence of the key device 210, and ifdetected, the unlock screen can be bypassed.

In another embodiment, the target device 200 can be configured to detectthe presence of the key device 210 using Near Field Communication (NFC)technology. In this case, detection is based on the presence of onedevice, e.g., the key device 210, in another device's “near field,” witheither load or modulated data being a signal of presence. (See NFCstandards for more information on how this works). According to anembodiment, simply bringing the key device 210 into the target device'snear field area allows both devices 200, 210 to determine that the otheris nearby. Once detected, the devices 200, 210 can be authenticated,e.g., see ISO 14443 (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ISO/IEC_(—)14443;http://www.waazaa.org/download/fcd-14443-3.pdf), and MIFARE(http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/MIFARE). In an embodiment, proximitymonitoring can be based on physical presence of the key device 210 inthe target devices 200 near field and/or based on periodic dataexchanges between one or both of the devices 200, 210.

In another embodiment, the target device 200 can be configured to detectthe presence of the key device 210 using far field detection techniquesthat use RF backscatter to send information to a source. For example,UHF and/or microwave RFID systems can be implemented on the devices 200,210 such that an RF reader in the target device 200 can detect thepresence of a tag in the key device 210. After the key device 210 isauthenticated, its proximity can be monitored by receiving periodicbackscatter from the key device 210 indicating that the device 210 isstill within the target device's proximity.

As indicated above, when the target device 200 detects the presence ofthe key device 210, the target device 200 authenticates the key device210. According to an embodiment, the authentication process can be a oneway process that where the key device authenticates itself to the targetdevice, and when the authentication is complete, the target deviceunlocks. Alternatively, the process can be a mutual/two-way processwhere the key device and target device mutually authenticate before thekey device transmits an encryption key to the target device so that thetarget device can decrypt a portion of its storage.

Various authentication processes can utilize various types of data toverify the authenticity of the devices 200, 210 and/or user 110. Forexample:

-   -   a device can provide an identification number (e.g. MAC address,        card identifier, EPC code) explicitly or as part of its        communication with the other device    -   a device can provide a secret code/key, which is matched a        secret code/key in the other device    -   mutual certificate verification (e.g. using TLS/SSL) can be        performed where both devices can validate the chain of trust of        the certificates each supplies.    -   an encrypted payload can be transmitted from one device to        another device having a decryption key (symmetric or        asymmetric), and where successful decryption of the payload        indicates a knowledge of a shared secret (symmetric key        encryption) or a private key (asymmetric key encryption),        thereby proving authenticity    -   each device can sign and encrypt data using each other's public        keys.

Alternatively or in addition, when the proximity of the key device 210detected and authenticated, the proximity based control system 202 canbe configured to prompt the user 110 to provide information known to theuser 110 and to the device 200 to authenticate the user 110. Thus, thechange in the security behavior of the target device 200 will beimplemented only when the user 110 provides the appropriate information.In another embodiment, when the key device 210 is a user's clientdevice, e.g., a phone 140 c, the key device 210 can itself supply theadditional information known to the user 110, e.g., that the user iscurrently logged in to the phone. In this case, the detection of thepresence of the key device 210 indicates that the user 110 has the keydevice 210. Through communications between the target device 200 and thekey device 210, the behavior medication module 206 can determineinformation indicating that the user 110 is logged in to the key device210 and that therefore, the user 110 knows information. Therefore, whatthe user has coupled with what the user knows triggers the change in thesecurity behavior of the target device 200.

Alternatively or in addition, the proximity based control system 202 canchange a level of authentication based on a geo-location of the targetdevice 200. For instance, when the device 200 is in proximity to asecure location, the additional authentication required for the device200 can merely be a pin code. Otherwise, the authentication for thedevice 200 requires a multi-faceted authentication.

Once a device is detected and authenticated as a key device 210 for thetarget device 200 and optionally after additional user information isreceived and verified, a security setting of the target device 200 maybe changed. In an embodiment, the proximity based control system 202 caninclude a behavior modification module 206 configured to change thesecurity behavior of the target device 200 when the key device 210 is inproximity of the target device 200 and optionally when additionalinformation is received.

For example, in an embodiment, when the target device 200 is configuredto enter a locked mode after a period of inactivity, the behaviormodification module 206 can change an “idle timeout” feature 207 whenthe proximity criteria is satisfied, i.e., the key device 210 is inproximity and optionally the additional information is received andverified. In an embodiment, the behavior modification module 206 can beconfigured to change and later restore the operating system (OS) idletimeout configuration parameters. In this case, the original idletimeout period parameters can be saved, and then the OS APIs can be usedto either disable/turn off or modify the idle timeout period to onesufficiently long that it will not expire while the user 110 is usingthe target device 200, e.g., 24 hours. For example, in Windows, theConsole lock display off timeout parameter can be disabled or modified.Later, when the presence key device 210 which provides evidence ofcontinued user presence is no longer detected, the original timeoutperiod parameters can be restored, and optionally the device can beimmediately locked.

In another embodiment, the behavior modification module 206 can beconfigured to emulate user activity to prevent an inactivity timer,e.g., the OS based idle timeout feature, from expiring. For example, ina Windows environment, user interaction messages such as WM_MOUSEMOVEcan be inserted. Alternatively or in addition,SetThreadExecutionState(ES_DISPLAY_REQUIRED) orSetThreadExecutionState(ES_SYSTEM_REQUIRED) orSetThreadExecutionState(ES_CONTINUOUS) can be called to prevent a screensaver lock from engaging. In this case, SetThreadExecutionState( ) mayneed to be called periodically to prevent the system from entering asleep or lock state. Alternatively or in addition, a hook in a userinput device driver may be used to generate what looks to the OS likehuman input device hardware interrupts that, as a result, resetinactivity timers.

In an embodiment, the change in behavior of the target device 200 canalso be based on a characteristic or attribute of the key device 210and/or the user 110. For example, when the proximity of the key device210 is detected, but the user 110 is not authenticated, e.g., the user110 is unable to provide appropriate authentication information, thebehavior modification module 206 can be configured to allow only themost basic functions or no functions at all. When the user 110 can beauthenticated, the behavior modification module 206 can allow varyinglevels of access and functionality to the user 110 based on what theuser knows, who the user is and/or combinations of such. Alternativelyor in addition, access to functions and features of individualapplications can be controlled based on what the user knows, who theuser is, and/or both. For example, an application 208, e.g., a browser,may have a first function, e.g., web browsing, that is accessible by anunauthenticated user 110, and a second function, e.g., accessing abookmark or making a new bookmark or changing a browser setting, that isaccessible by only an authenticated user who knows something, and athird function, e.g., uninstalling the application or erasing browserhistory, that is accessible by only an authenticated user who knowssomething and who is something. Features 207 and/or applications 208 towhich a user 110 does not have access may be hidden, or may bedisplayed, but if invoked, would require the additional missing level ofauthentication to be obtained from the user 110.

Moreover, the change in behavior of the target device 200 can also bebased on a geo-location of the target device 200. For example, when thetarget device 200 is near a specified landmark, e.g., home or office, aregion or a geofence, the behavior of the target device 200 can bemodified to suit the characteristics of the specified landmark. In anembodiment, a GPS unit or other geo-location module in the target device200 can collect geo-location information associated with the device 200.The target device 200 can transmit its geo-location information to aserver 111, which can determine whether the target device 200 is inproximity to a given region or landmark and can transmit thisdetermination back to the target device 200. Alternatively, the targetdevice 200 can make this determination locally based on the geo-locationinformation.

Accordingly, in the case regarding changes to the idle timeout feature207 of the target device 200, when the key device 210 is detected andwhen the target device 200 is located in the user's home or work office,the behavior modification module 206 can be configured to disable thefeature 207. Alternatively, when the target device 200 is located in apublic place, the feature 207 can be enabled and a short idle timeoutperiod can be applied.

In another embodiment, when the key device 210 is detected but thegeo-location of the target device 200 is not near a specified landmark,e.g., the office and/or a certain country, the behavior modificationmodule 206 can place the target device 200 in absolute lockdown mode,i.e., in an inoperable state. In this case, the behavior modificationmodule 206 can lock the device 200 immediately and/or implement ahardware lockdown which can prevent an element of the device frombooting or otherwise enabling an operating system 209 unless theproximity criteria is satisfied. In an embodiment, programming code canbe inserted or enabled as part of the boot sequence for the device 200.This can be logic in hardware (e.g. ROM) or in the BIOS (part of theboot sequence on the device) or anywhere in the device's particular bootsequence that takes control and executes prior to loading any operatingsystem 209, whether from the device 200 or via any attached externalmedia, e.g., logic in a virtual machine that takes control prior tobooting an operating system 209. The inserted/enabled code can ensurethat the proximity criteria is satisfied, in which case it will allowthe boot sequence to proceed. Otherwise, it will prevent the bootsequence from proceeding and no operating system 209 will boot.

Alternatively or in addition, the operating system 209 may also containcode that disables itself (e.g. a device driver that interrupts the bootsequence or disables any user-interactive features of the device whilepreserving network and location capabilities). In an embodiment, thedevice 200 can be configured in such a way that the device cannot bereset or have its firmware flashed while in a lockdown mode. Forexample, a configuration parameter that determines whether a device isin lockdown can be stored in memory that is not wiped when the deviceperforms a “master clear”, “wipe”, “restore to factory defaults”, orother full reset operation. In this case, even performing such a wipewill not disable the lockdown. Furthermore, the device's bootloader maycheck for this configuration parameter and disable firmware flashing ifit is set. A recoverable bootloader may require an authenticationcredential, e.g. digital signature or password, to allow even a lockeddown device to be recovered by an authorized party.

Alternatively, or in addition, the behavior modification module 206 cancontrol access to certain types of data stored on the target device 200.For example, the behavior modification module 206 can allow access to anencrypted container only when the key device 210 is detected and whenthe user 110 is authenticated. Such access can also be denied or grantedwhen the geo-location of the target device 200 is or is not near aspecified landmark. In an embodiment, the behavior modification module206 can allow access to specific files in the file system 203, canlaunch any applications 208, and/or can allow the user to perform anyother action involving sensors, attached devices, etc. Alternatively,secure resources, e.g., files and/or applications, can be placed in acontainer controlled by the behavior modification module 206. Thecontainer can be an encrypted portion of the file system 203 such thatdecryption and thus access to the files or applications is controlled bythe behavior modification module 206.

In an embodiment, the location policy may be implemented as part ofSELinux or SEAndroid so that a system wide mechanism (e.g. kernel)enforces the policy and is configurable by a system wide policy file oris configurable dynamically by an application. Alternatively, the policymay be implemented so that the kernel delegates a policy decision to auser-mode application. A further alternative provides a firstapplication controlling access to a secure resource by otherapplications. In this case, the first application can enforce a policythat defines what other applications and in what contexts (e.g.location, proximity) access to the resource should be granted. In anembodiment, the first application can consult a server in order to grantaccess, for example, by retrieving an encryption key from the server inorder to decrypt a secure container. In an embodiment, the server canenforce the proximity criteria based on information provided by thefirst application or otherwise available to the server. For example, theserver may use an out of band mechanism to locate the key device. Such amechanism can be one that is described in patent application Ser. No.13/162,477, filed Jun. 16, 2011, entitled “Mobile Device Geolocation,”U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/372,719, filed Feb. 17, 2009, nowU.S. Pat. No. 8,467,768, issued Jun. 18, 2013, entitled, “System AndMethod For Remotely Securing Or Recovering A Mobile Device,” U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 13/423,036, filed Mar. 16, 2012, Ser. No.13/410,979, filed Mar. 2, 2012, Ser. No. 13/842,884, filed Mar. 15,2013, and Ser. No. 13/849,379, filed Mar. 22, 2013, which areincorporated by reference along with all other references cited in thispatent application.

According to an embodiment, the security behavior changes implemented bythe behavior modification module 206 can remain in effect so long as theuser 110 is present. As mentioned above, the user's presence cantypically be linked to the presence of the key device 210. Various waysin which the target device 200 can monitor the presence of the keydevice 210 are mentioned above. In another embodiment, the presence ofanother device (referred to as a “presence device”) and/or itsrespective state can also be indicative of the user's presence, and theproximity detection module 204 can be configured to detect the presenceand state of the presence device to determine whether the user 110 ispresent.

For example, when the target device 200 is a PC 140 a and the presencedevice is the user's phone 140 c, the proximity detection module 204 inthe PC 200 can detect the presence of the phone 140 c and the currentstate of the phone 140 c. In an embodiment, the current state of thephone 140 c can be determined by sensor readings provided by sensors inthe phone 140 c, e.g., an accelerometer or a camera, that indicate thatthe user is interacting with the phone 140 c and therefore present.Accordingly, while the user 110 may not be currently interacting withthe PC 200, the combination of proximity and current state of the otherdevice 140 c can be sufficient to provide evidence of the presence ofthe user 110, which then prevents an automatic time-out/locking event ofthe target device/PC 200.

In an embodiment, the presence device used to monitor the user'spresence can be one that is not suitable as a key device 210, and yet issuitable for indicating the user's presence. For example, a set ofheadphones that contain an accelerometer do not require login for use,and thus do not provide evidence of something the user knows, and wouldnot ordinarily be used for providing evidence of initial presence.Nevertheless, the headphones can provide evidence that the user 110 ispresent when they are connected to one or more of the devices in the setof user's devices requiring continued presence, and when theaccelerometer shows movement of the user's head while wearing theheadphones. Other examples of sensors that can provide supportingevidence are temperature, blood pressure, and/or mechanical straingauges (the headphones are worn on the user's head instead of resting ona desk).

According to an embodiment, so long as the user 110 is interacting withthe target device 200, the key device 210 and/or the presence device,the current states of the device(s) provide evidence of a continued userpresence, and a time-out or automatic lock of either device(s) isprevented. But if the current state of all of the devices changes toshow no interaction, then even though the devices are still in physicalproximity, they no longer provide any evidence of continued presence ofthe user 110. There is the notion of a set of devices or sensors ortokens in a vicinity which can provide evidence of presence. Forexample, a camera in a PC or phone may detect the presence of a body orface in the field of view of the camera, which can be evidence, after auser has been determined to be present and in proximity and alsoauthenticated, that the user is still present. Thus the current state ofthe camera's sensor readings can provide evidence of continued presenceof the user. Other devices which could provide such evidence are theland line telephone on a user's desk. In this case, if the telephone isput into use during a time when the user is known to be present, thenthe continued use of the telephone provides some evidence of thecontinued presence of the user 110.

According to an embodiment, when the presence of a previously detectedkey device 210 or optionally the presence of a previously detectedpresence device is no longer detected, the user 110 may no longerpresent. In an embodiment, the absence of a particular device (referredto as an “absence device”) is highly indicative of the user's absenceand the proximity detection module 204 can be configured to detect thepresence/absence of the absence device. In an embodiment, the absencedevice can be the user's phone 140 c or the user's watch 140 b, and whenthe presence of either or both is no longer detected, the proximitydetection module 204 can conclude that the user 110 is no longerpresent. When the user 110 is no longer present, the security behaviorof the target device 200 can be changed again. In this situation, forexample, the behavior modification module 206 can be configured toimmediately lock the target device 200, to shut down the target device200, or to enter a sleep/hibernate mode in an embodiment.

According to an embodiment, when the target device 200 is powered onfrom a shutdown state, the target device 200 can detect a key device 210already in proximity and proceed from there in the same fashion as if ithad already been powered on when the key device 210 was brought withinits vicinity. In another embodiment, when the target device 200 is inthe sleep/hibernate mode, it can continue to search for the presence ofthe key device 210, and can wake up when the key device 210 is detected.Alternatively, a power strip into which the target device 200 is pluggedcan detect the presence of the key device 200 and turn on power to thetarget device 200 upon detection.

In another embodiment, when the presence of a key device 210 is notdetected within a specified destruction time interval, the behaviormodification module 206 can spontaneously change the security behaviorof the target device 200. For instance, when the target device 200 hasnot detected the key device 210 within in 24 hours, the behaviormodification module 206 can digitally destroy the target device 200 by,e.g., erasing data, forgetting keys, corrupting the firmware, blowing afuse, and/or marking bits in secure regions of protected non-volatilememory. In an embodiment when the target device 200 is awake and active,the behavior modification module 206 can initiate the requiredconfigured destruction actions when the specified destruction timeinterval expires. In another embodiment, to prevent a power cycle (poweroff, power on) from defeating this time-based self-destruction policy,the target device 200 can be configured, as described above, with codeto execute proximity criteria as part of the device boot sequence. In asubsequent attempted power on or boot sequence, when the code determinesthat the key device 210 is not present and that the destruction timeinterval has expired, the destruction actions configured are performed.

In another embodiment, the target device 200 itself can be configuredwith anti-tamper features to augment this protection, by ensuring thatany physical modification of the device (even when unpowered) willdestroy the device and/or data. There are well known ways to do so, e.g.the tamper proof features in smart cards or cryptographic processors.There are multiple such tamper proof measures capable of meetingFIPS-140 levels 1, 2, 3, or 4 for tamper proof security requirements. Inan embodiment, a device 200 can include a physical destruction elementsuch as an electromagnetic device (e.g. magnetic field generator,high-intensity RF device), chemical device (e.g. destructive chemicalcompound such as an acid, very small explosive charge, or otherincendiary device), or a non-chemical and non-electromagnetic modulethat is able to permanently render the device or data stored thereoninoperable when tampering is detected, if policy dictates that thedevice should self-destruct (e.g. outside of destruction time interval,device detects that there is an unauthorized user), and/or a servercommands the device to self-destruct.

Alternatively or in addition, the behavior modification module 206 cannotify a server 111 that the key device 210 has not been detected withinthe specified time period, and the server 111 can revoke the targetdevice's credentials. Alternatively, when the target device 200 is theserver and the user's key device 210 has not been detected within thespecified time period, the server can revoke access directly, e.g.disabling the user' account or changing the user's password, orindirectly by communicating with an authentication server, a LDAPserver, or a single sign on provider to disable the user's access.

FIG. 3 is an operational flow diagram illustrating a high level overviewof a method of the invention according to an embodiment. In block 302,the target device 200 detects the presence of another device, which canbe any of the client devices 140 a-140 e illustrated in FIG. 1 or adedicated device. As indicated above, the presence of the other devicecan be detected via BLUETOOTH or NFC, or other means. When the presenceof other device is detected, the target device 200 can determine whetherthe other device is being detected for the first time in block 304. Whensuch is the case, the target device 200 can prompt a user 110 toindicate whether the other device should be a key device 210 in block305. When the user 110 indicates affirmatively, the target device 200can be configured to register the device as a key device 210 in block306. Otherwise, the device is not registered, and the security settingsof the target device 200 remain unchanged in block 307.

Alternatively, when the other device has been detected previously (block304), the target device 200 can determine whether the detected device isa previously registered key device 210 in block 308. When such is notthe case, the security settings of the target device 200 remainunchanged in block 307. According to an embodiment, when the detecteddevice is either a previously or newly registered key device 210, thesecurity settings of the target device 200 are changed based on thedetected presence of the key device 210 in block 310.

According to an embodiment, once the key device 210 is detected, thetarget device 200 is configured to detect the user's continued presencein block 312. While the user 110 is present, the current securitysettings of the target device 200 are maintained in block 313. When theuser's presence is no longer detected in block 312, the securitysettings of the target device 200 are changed based on the detectedabsence of the user 110 in block 314.

An Example Embodiment

In an example embodiment, a user Alice awakes in the morning whenAlice's iPhone alarm goes off Alice presses its Touch ID fingerprintidentity sensor, which authenticates her to the iPhone device. Thesecurity system component of this disclosure determines that the iPhonewas in fact configured to have the Touch ID capability turned on, andthat Alice has verified her identity to the iPhone, thus Alice is inpossession of the iPhone. Alice dresses in her workout outfit, placesher iPhone in the pocket of her sweatpants, and walks to the exerciseroom in her apartment complex for her morning workout. A normal iPhonewould, during the period of inactivity during Alice's walk to theexercise room, engage its locking function, but because the securitysystem component on the iPhone is operating, it observes using themotion sensors on the iPhone and a motion classification technique andoptionally readings from a device proximity sensor (which detectswhether there is an object within a few cm of the sensor) that theiPhone was placed in a pocket, and determines that during the entireduration of Alice's walk to the exercise room there has been motionsensor output indicating that Alice is walking, and that therefore Alicehas been in possession and control of the device the entire time, andprevents the timeout autolock from engaging.

Alice arrives at the exercise room, places her fitness band monitoringdevice on her wrist, removes her iPhone from her pocket and places it ona table in a corner of the room, and walks to the other side of the roomto begin her workout on the rowing machine. The security systemcomponent detects the fitness band being turned on and pairs with itusing Bluetooth. Because the fitness band is in acceptable proximitywith the iPhone as determined by the security system component, thecomponent notes that the fitness band is in Alice's possession. Thesecurity system component determines from the physiological sensors(measuring Alice's pulse) began to record Alice's pulse rate when sheput it on her wrist. The security system component thereby notes thatAlice was wearing and in possession of the fitness band. The securitysystem component determines from classification of motion sensor outputson the iPhone that the phone was set down on a surface, after whichthere were no further motion sensor inputs to the iPhone. The iPhone isstill in acceptable proximity to Alice as determined by the fact thatthere is still an acceptably strong Bluetooth connection between theiPhone and the fitness band, and determines that Alice is still inpossession of the iPhone even though it was set down on a flat surface.As Alice walks to the other side of the room, the Bluetooth connectionweakens and the security system component determines that the twodevices, the iPhone and the fitness band, are no longer in acceptableproximity. Because there is also no evidence that Alice is present atthe iPhone and in possession of the iPhone device, the security systemcomponent notes that the iPhone no longer has Alice in possession of thedevice, and changes security settings on the iPhone to lock the phone.The security sensor may also arm a movement alarm on the iPhone toprevent an unauthorized person from picking it up.

Alice completes her vigorous 45 minute exercise routine, during whichtime the fitness band has been monitoring her pulse rate continuouslyand recording it. Alice walks back to the opposite corner of the roomwhere she had set down her iPhone, picks it up, and begins to use it. AsAlice neared the corner of the room where the iPhone had been placed,the iPhone and the fitness band reconnected their Bluetooth connection.The security system component observed the reconnection, and determinedthat the fitness band was now in acceptable proximity to the iPhone. Butis it Alice who has brought the fitness band to the corner of the roomwhere the iPhone is? The security system component queries the fitnessband interface and obtains the continuous pulse record that had begunwhen Alice was originally in acceptable proximity to the iPhone. Thesecurity system determines that Alice was in continuous possession ofthe fitness band during her time away from the iPhone, and thereforethis is Alice. In response the security system component changessecurity settings and unlocks the iPhone.

Alice puts her iPhone into her pocket, returns to her apartment, entersher home office and turns on her PC. It boots and unlocks. The PC afterbooting pairs with her iPhone using Bluetooth. The system securitycomponent on the iPhone communicates with the system security componenton the PC to determine that Alice is authenticated to the iPhone and isin possession of the device. The security component on the PC unlocksthe PC because Alice is proved to be authenticated and acceptablyproximate. Alice turns her iPhone off and connects it to a charger, andopens a browser to connect to her email account. Alice is automaticallylogged in and reads her email. The security component on the PCcommunicates with a password manager component on the PC to indicatethat Alice is authenticated and present; the password manager componentautomatically logs Alice in to the email system. Alice reads an articlethat reminds her about a book that is on a shelf on the other side ofher home office. Alice gets up, walks to the shelf, and returns to herPC, which is still unlocked. The security component on the PC haspreviously, using the PC camera, observed a person (who has beeninferred to be Alice) sitting in front of the PC. The motion trackingsoftware connected to the camera observes that the person (Alice) leavesthe chair in front of the PC, but remains in view as Alice walks away tothe other side of the office space. The PC screen dims, and optionallylocks, because Alice is no longer in front of and thus in acceptablepossession of the PC device. The security component of the PC, using themotion tracking software connected to the camera on the PC, determinesthat Alice has returned to a position in front of the PC, and is onceagain in acceptable proximity to the PC. Because the motion tracking ofAlice was continuous, the security system component knows that theperson in front of the PC is in fact authenticated Alice, and thereby inresponse unlocks the PC.

The above exemplary embodiment was presented for the purposes ofexposition to provide an scenario context for understanding thefollowing discussion of the various parts of the system.

Proximity

According to an embodiment, a system for performing authentication orauthorization operations or modifying a device's security or operationalsettings using in part the proximity of two or more objects is provided.In this embodiment, an acceptable proximity of two objects isdetermined, where the objects are electronic devices or active orpassive physical tokens or a person's actual body or body parts.Electronic devices include such things as smartphones, tablets, PCs,servers, authentication tokens, smartcards, electronic devices worn by,implanted in, or carried by a person, such as smart watches, headmounted or worn glasses or other devices such as brain wave monitors,fitness bands or medical devices monitoring a person's physiologicalstate such as pulse, circulation oxygen levels, electrocardiogram,respiration rate, perspiration activity, skin conductance, pupildilation, gaze direction, and so on. Such objects may have computerprocessing capabilities or not, and may have communications capabilitiesor not. Acceptable proximity is a physical distance between the twoobjects that is less than a predefined threshold distance; or a physicaldistance between the two objects that is less than a predefinedthreshold distance combined with a relative orientation of the twoobjects; or a physical distance between the two objects that is lessthan a predefined threshold distance combined with a detection ofwhether there are intervening objects or not (such as wall or displaymonitor); or is a network distance such as two devices being connectedto the same segment of a LAN or being connected to the same device via awireless communication mechanism (said wireless communication mechanismmay involve RF-based communications such as Wi-Fi or Bluetooth or NFC,or light-based communications such as infrared or laser communication orLight Field Communication (LFC) or sound-based communications such asmodulated sound transmitted through the air or as vibrations in a solidobject like a desk or work surface); or being connected by a wire usedfor communication.

It is important to note that the use herein of the term “proximity” isnot the same meaning as a “proximity sensor” in a mobile device. Aproximity sensor, for example, in a smartphone, is intended primarily todetermine if an object, usually the user's head, is within a smalldistance from the device, and is intended to prevent accidental touchevents, such as the user's ear or cheek touching the touch sensitivedisplay surface, from triggering actions on the device. Typically, sucha proximity sensor determines if there is some object within 2-5 cm. ofthe sensor. Often such a sensor only reports a state of “close/near” or“far.” The use of proximity within this application deals with a largerange of potential distances, not just a few centimeters, but alsometers or tens or hundreds of meters or even kilometers, and the conceptof proximity, particularly what will be described as acceptableproximity, is more complex.

In an embodiment proximity is determined by a range finding operation. Arange finding sensor is used to measure a physical distance from thesensor to a target. One example of a range finding sensor includes LIDAR(light detection and ranging), in which light, often from a laser, isused to illuminate a target and analyzes the reflected light. Time offlight and/or interferometric measurements are used to determinedistance from the sensor to the target. Another example of a rangefinding sensor includes a SONAR (sound navigation and ranging) system,in which sound is emitted from the sensor and reflected by the targetback to the sensor. A SONAR sensor may often use ultrasonic sound. Timeof flight is used to determine distance from the sensor to the target.Another example of a range finding sensor includes RADAR (radionavigation and ranging), which uses RF (radio frequency) emissions whichare reflected from a target and the time of flight is used to determinedistance from the sensor to the target. Another example of a rangefinder sensor is a CCD array based IR (infrared) sensor, which uses adirectional pulse or beam of IR light which is reflected by a target,and the angle of reflection arrival is measured by the CCD array todetermine by triangulation the distance to the target. Another exampleof a range finding sensor is the Microsoft Kinect sensor, which combinesa depth sensor employing structured light (a known pattern of light)emission and a camera to determine the distance from the sensor to aparticular target. Another example of a range finding sensor is aphotogrammetry or stereophotogrammetry system, which uses computervision techniques to determine the relative position and distance of atarget object from the sensor. Another example of a range finding sensoris a motion tracker (also referred to as motion capture or performancecapture systems) such as Ascension's Flock of Birds device; such sensorsystems determine distance and position of a target relative to thesensor, using various technologies such as active markers which emitlight or sound that is tracked by a camera or directional microphone; orpassive markers which are observed by computer vision systems andtriangulation or measurement relative to known distance objects is usedto determine distance to a target; or magnetic systems which calculateposition and orientation and thus distance using the relative magneticflux of magnetic coils on a transmitter in the sensor and in the target.In an embodiment, not just distance but also orientation is determined.Another example of a range finding system is one that measures distanceusing a measurement of the time of flight of a signal between twoobjects; the signal could be a radiofrequency signal, or an audio signal(ultrasonic or subsonic or in normal audible range of about 20 Hz to20,000 Hz) propagated through air or as a vibration through a solidobject such as a desk or work surface, or a visible light signal, orother electromagnetic signal. Time of flight is measured for thetransmission of the signal from one object to another, with asynchronized time between the two objects used to measure the elapsedtime of flight, which with the known speed of signal transmissiondetermines the distance between the two objects. In this embodiment oneobject has a signal emitter and the other object has a signal receiver,and both objects have the ability to communicate either the system thatdetermines the proximity distance, said system which resides within oneor the other objects, or within a separate device, server, or appliance.The usual methods of time synchronization known in the art are used tosynchronize time measurements between the two systems. In anotherembodiment, time of flight is measured using a round trip of a signaltransmitted from a first object to a second object, and then reflectedfrom the second object back to the first object.

In an embodiment a range finding operation is performed by a thirddevice to measure the distance to two other objects, a first target anda second target, in order to determine an estimate of the distancebetween the two other objects. In the absence of any orientation orother location specific information from a range finding, and with onlya pair of distances (D₁,D₂) to the first target and second target,respectively, the system concludes that the proximate distance D_(p)between the first and second target is in the range of distances[max(D₁,D₂)−min(D₁,D₂), D₁+D₂]. The minimum range value occurs when thetwo targets are collinear with the range finding sensor and are on thesame side of the sensor. The maximum range value occurs when the twotargets are collinear with the range finding sensor and are on oppositesides of the sensor. For a range finding sensor which only observes andmeasures ranges for objects within an angular range of [−A_(S),+A_(S)]from the normal vector for the sensor, where typically AS is less than90 degrees and is often between 45 degrees and 60 degrees, the upperbound on the estimated range of distances is further constrained. Inthis case, the maximum range value occurs when the two objects are onopposite boundaries of the angular envelope of sensing range of thesensor, and is √{square root over ((D₂ sin A_(S)+D₁ sin A_(S))²+(D₂ cosA_(S)−D₁ cos A_(S))²)}{square root over ((D₂ sin A_(S)+D₁ sinA_(S))²+(D₂ cos A_(S)−D₁ cos A_(S))²)}. Some range finding operationsmay provide not just the pair of distances to two objects (D₁,D₂), butalso the orientation from the sensor to the two objects (A₁,A₂), whereA_(i) is an angle from a reference vector, usually the vector in whichthe sensor is aimed or the vector normal to the sensing plane of thesensor. In such a case the system concludes that the proximate distanceD_(P) between the first and second target is calculated in the usualmanner as D_(P)=√{square root over ((D₂ sin A₂−D₁ sin A₁)²+(D₂ cos A₂−D₁cos A₁)²)}{square root over ((D₂ sin A₂−D₁ sin A₁)²+(D₂ cos A₂−D₁ cosA₁)²)}

In an embodiment a range finding operation is performed by two devicesto measure the distance between the same two devices, a first target anda second target, by correlation of signals ambient in the environment ofthe two devices. Signals in the environment can be sounds that aresubsonic, or in the normal human hearing range of 20 Hz to 20,000 Hz, orultrasonic, or are transmitted in air as vibrations in solid objectssuch as a desk or workstation or vehicle chassis, frame, or objectsconnected to them; or can be light emissions that are in the visiblelight range, or nearby (infrared or ultraviolet), or otherelectromagnetic emissions including radiofrequency (RF) emissions (suchas two devices being able to detect the same SSID or BSSID of a Wi-Fiaccess point or the same cellular transmission tower) or modulatedmagnetic fields. The signals in the environment may be signals that arebeing deliberately emitted by other objects or persons in theenvironment, as in background noises, engine noises, music being played,etc., or may be signals that are being emitted by a part of the systemto facilitate a range finding operation. In an embodiment a first targetand a second target both receive signals from the ambient environment. Asystem determines the best correlation between the signals to determinehow much time difference exists between the two signals as received. Thesystem uses the time difference of the two correlated signals and the apriori known speed of transmission of the signal in the transmissionmedium to determine a lower bound estimate of the distance between thetwo targets, as in r_(measured)=t_(delta)*v_(S), where r is the distancemeasurement, t_(delta) is the time difference of the two correlatedsignals as received, and v_(S) is the speed of signal transmission inthe ambient medium, and r_(measured) is the resultant computed distance.That is, the two devices are known to be no closer than the distancedetermined in such a measurement, r_(measured), but the two devicescould be further away from each other if they are, for example, the samedistance away from the emitter of the signal but in opposite directions.An upper bound on the distance between the two devices can be determinedto be twice the distance at which a signal of the type received can betransmitted (twice, because the two devices could be on opposite sidesof the signal emitter. In an embodiment the system can estimate an upperbound on the distance between the two devices using a priori knowninformation regarding the maximum distance at which a signal of the typereceived can actually be received, r_(max). This distance may be basedsolely upon the transmission characteristics of the signal through itstransmission media, or can be also based on information about the localgeometry of the environment in which the signal is being transmitted.For example, if the signal is an audio signal and it is known that theenvironment is a rectangular room that is 12 m by 5 m in dimensions, andthat the audio signal would not be able to be detected outside the room,then the maximum distance at which the signal could be received is alongthe diagonal of 13 m. In the unconstrained case (no knowledge of thegeometry of the environment) the system can estimate that two devicesare no further apart than 2r_(max) (which would be the case if they werelocated collinearly with the signal emitter and were on opposite sidesof the emitter). In the constrained case (known geometry of the 5 m by12 m rectangular room) the system can estimate that the two devices areno further apart than 13 m.

In another embodiment the system uses the measured strength of thesignal received to estimate the distances between the devices. If thefirst device measures a signal strength S₁ and the second devicemeasures a signal strength S₂, then the system, knowing that signalstrength of transmissions goes down as one over the square of thedistance of transmission from the signal emitter to the receiving device(r₁ and r₂, respectively), can determine a relationship between thesetwo distances as

$r_{2} = {r_{1}{\sqrt{\frac{s_{1}}{s_{2}}}.}}$

Depending on the relative position of the two devices, ranging fromcollinear with the signal emitter and on the same side of the signalemitter, or up to collinear with the signal emitter and on the oppositeside of the signal emitter, the system can estimate the proximitydistance between the two devices as being in the range [abs(r₂−r₁),r₂+r₁], where abs( ) is the absolute value function. In an embodimentthe signal used for correlation or signal strength measurement is not asignal emitted by some other object or person in the environment, but isemitted by the first device. In such a case the distance between the twodevices is determined more precisely to be exactly r_(measured) asdiscussed above, when time difference of best signal correlation isused, or using signal strength measurement, the system uses the wellknown in the art free-space path loss formula

${FSPL} = \left( \frac{4\pi \; d}{\lambda} \right)^{2}$

and the known initial signal strength and the received signal strengthand the wavelength λ of the signal to determine the distance d from thesignal emitter to the receiving device. In an embodiment the systeminvolves the first target sending via a communications channel a copy ofthe received signal to the second target, which performs the correlationoperation and distance determination. In another embodiment, bothtargets send a copy of the received signal to a third device, whichperforms the correlation operation and distance determination.

In an embodiment proximity is determined by a location differencingoperation. A physical location L₁ is determined for a first target and aphysical location L₂ is determined for a second target, where a locationL_(i) is a two-dimensional vector (x,y) or a three-dimensional vector(x,y,z), describing the location in the plane or in three dimensionalspace. The system calculates the distance between the first and secondtargets with the usual vector distance calculation D_(P)=|L₂−L₁|. Thelocation coordinates are relative to the location sensor itself, or tosome other external frame of reference, such as latitude or longitude. Alocation may be determined by an object itself, e.g., the first targetmay have a GPS sensor and can determine its absolute location inlatitude and longitude. A location may be determined by an sensor thatis part of a system separate from either the first target or the secondtarget, e.g., a computer vision system or a range finding system withorientation detection capability that determines the relative locationof the target with respect to the sensor system, which when combinedwith the known location of the sensor system itself yields an absolutelocation.

In an embodiment locations used for location differencing are determinedby a positioning grid system or a collection of beacons with knownlocations. Estimates of proximity distance for the first and secondtarget are made using the locations of the nearest grid points to theobjects or the known locations of the beacons closest to the device.Examples of this type of proximity determination system include the useof cell towers to determine the cell tower with the location closest tothe target based on measured signal strength or time of flightmeasurements or to more precisely determine locations using well knowntriangulation methods involving multiple cell towers; or the system fromPhilips, Inc. which uses connected in-store LED lighting fixtures asknown location beacons, each of which emits a different modulated lightsignal which is detected by a sensor on an object to determine theclosest such beacon.

In an embodiment a system may determine physical proximity by inferencefrom a first device being connected by a wire, cable, optical fiber orother communications connection to a second device. For example, when asmartphone is plugged into a PC using a connecting communications cable,the system may infer a physical proximity of the smartphone to the PC. Amore exact distance may be determined by measurement of the transmissiontime for a signal sent in a single direction or a measured round trip byreflection or retransmission and the a priori known speed of propagationof the signal in the material of the connector.

In an embodiment a system may determine proximity of two devices viacorrelation of motion sensors in the two devices, e.g., accelerometer orgyroscope sensors, or changes of values from location sensors such usingGPS or cell tower or Wi-Fi signals, or combinations thereof. Motionsensors are increasingly common in devices such as smartphones, tablets,fitness or health monitoring devices, smart watches, or other wornperipheral devices. Movement detected by motion sensors can becategorized or uncategorized, as is well known in the art. A categorizedmovement can include not just an indication that the device isstationary or in movement, but can also classify a transportation oractivity or movement modality, such as a pedestrian modality (walking,running, moving on stairs, exercising, etc.), or a non-motorizedtransportation modality (bicycling, roller skating), or a motorizedtransportation modality (e.g., a bus, a train, a car), or an activitymodality such as placing a device into a pocket or holster on a person.An uncategorized movement is one that has a time series of measurementsfrom motion sensors but for which no classification as to modality hasbeen determined. The time series of measurements from the sensors on twodevices can be correlated to determine if the two devices are movingtogether. In particular, correlations of low-frequency components ofmovement sensor time series data indicate that the two devices aremoving together, but may not indicate directly an indication ofproximity distance. Additional correlations of high-frequency componentsof movement sensor time series data provide additional evidence ofproximity distance. For instance, two devices which are in the first andlast cars of a train will exhibit a correlation of low-frequencycomponents of movement sensor time series data, but are unlikely to havea strong correlation of the high-frequency components of that data(small movements and vibrations due to track irregularities or localvibrations within a car will be unlikely to be similar in differenttrain cars); if there is additionally a correlation of thehigh-frequency components, then the two devices are closer together. Forcategorized movements, the modality of movement determined by aclassifier defines some external constraints for proximity distanceranges. For example, if a movement modality is determined to be apedestrian modality, then by inference two devices which have a highcorrelation of movement data are constrained to being carried by, wornby, or implanted in the same human body, and thus are at most 2 m apart.If a movement modality is determined to be a train modality, and thereis a correlation of high-frequency components indicating that the twodevices are in the same train car, then by inference using a prioriknowledge regarding the size of train cars the system can determine thatthe two devices are at most 21 to 26 m apart, the normal maximumdimension of train cars. If a movement modality is determined to be amotorized automobile, then the system can infer that the two deviceswith correlation motion are at most 3 to 7 m apart (the relative maximumdimensions of the interior passenger compartments of a four-seaterautomobile up to a 15 passenger van).

In an embodiment a system may determine proximity of two devices usinginformation about active communications networks to which the twodevices are connected. In an embodiment, there are two devices, the twodevices being connected to the same segment of a LAN or being connectedto the same device via a non-wired communication mechanism (saidnon-wired communication mechanism may involve RF-based communicationssuch as Wi-Fi or Bluetooth or NFC or optical wireless Li-Fi).

Multiple methods for proximity measurement may be used. The multiplemethods can be used to narrow estimated ranges for proximity, using themaximum of estimated lower bounds on proximity distance and the minimumof estimated upper bounds on proximity distance between to objects.

It should be understood that these proximity measurement methodsdescribed above are exemplary and that any other method for determiningdistance, location, proximity can be used to accomplish the proximitymeasurement operations of the system.

Acceptable Proximity Using Range, Region, and Orientation

In an embodiment a system determines a proximity distance between twoobjects and determines whether the distance is in an acceptable range oracceptable region or acceptable orientation. An acceptable proximitydistance range is a threshold for a proximity distance, e.g., aproximity distance that is less than a threshold of three meters. Anacceptable proximity distance range can also have a minimum bound on thedistance range; for example, an acceptable proximity distance rangecould be defined, for example for a particular purpose, as being withina minimum distance of 0.5 m and a maximum distance of 2 m.

When the system is dealing with a proximity distance measurement whichitself a range, for example, proximity distance was determined to be atleast 2 m and at most 10 m, the system may operate in a strict or afuzzy assessment manner for determining acceptable proximity distance.For example, suppose that for a particular purpose the acceptableproximity distance range is from 0 m to 7 m. When the system isoperating in the strict manner, the system does not consider theproximity distance measurement range of [2 m,10 m] to be acceptablyproximate, because there is a possibility that the exact proximitydistance is greater than the maximum acceptable proximity distance rangeof 7 m. When the system is operating in the fuzzy manner (fuzzy as infuzzy systems theory), the system can assign a fuzzy value (one between0 and 1) for the assertion that the proximity distance is acceptable.For example, in one embodiment the fuzzy value is determined using theextent of overlap between the measured proximity distance range and theacceptable proximity distance range; using the example above, this is (7m−2 m)/(10 m−2 m)=0.625.

An acceptable proximity region is a predefined particular area(two-dimensional) or volume (three-dimensional) surrounding orcontiguous to or nearby an object; e.g., an acceptable proximity regionfor an object that is located within an office cubicle can be defined asthe region within the office cubicle itself. In this instance, the useof the acceptable region is important so that an object which might havea small proximity distance but which resides in an adjacent cubicle onthe other side of a cubicle wall cannot be considered as acceptablyproximate. Similarly, on a different scale, another example of anacceptable proximity region for a particular purpose is the interior ofhouse. Only an object with both an acceptable proximity distance andwithin the interior of the house (the acceptable region) would beconsidered acceptably proximate, i.e., an object which is only one meteraway but which is positioned just outside a window of a house is not inthe acceptable region and thus is not considered acceptably proximate.Another example of an acceptable proximity region is the interior of acorporate office location, which may occupy parts of several floors ofan office building. Another example of an acceptable proximity region isa geofenced area such as the boundaries of a city.

An acceptable proximity orientation is a range of angular orientationsrelative to a first object for a second object to be positioned in; anexample is a range of orientations from −70 degrees to +70 degrees fromthe normal to the surface of a display surface or a camera lens—theacceptable orientation is one in which the object is able to view thesurface of the display, or is able to be viewed from the camera. In anembodiment, an object may be determined to be acceptably proximate basedsolely on proximity distance range, or an acceptable proximity region,or an acceptable proximity orientation, or any combination thereof.

In an embodiment, the criteria for what proximity distance or proximityregion or proximity orientation is acceptable is contextual. Forexample, an acceptable proximity region for a particular use in avehicle may only include the interior region of the car as an acceptableproximity region while when the context is that the vehicle is inmotion, or the engine is running, or the vehicle transmission is not inpark, but the acceptable proximity region might extend to ten metersfrom the vehicle in other cases. Or, for another example in a vehicle,an acceptable region may exclude the region of the driver's seat and asurrounding margin of half a meter from the driver's seat, but includethe rest of the car interior for a context while the vehicle is inmotion, or the engine is running, or the vehicle transmission is not inpark, in order to exclude the driver from being authorized to use adevice or certain applications on a device while the driver is likely tobe driving the vehicle. A further description of contexts is describedin U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/686,028, entitled “System AndMethod For Developing, Updating, And Using User Device BehavioralContext Models To Modify User, Device, And Application State, SettingsAnd Behavior For Enhanced User Security,” now U.S. Pat. No. 8,655,307,filed Nov. 27, 2012, and U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/092,195,entitled “System And Method For Using Context Models To ControlOperation Of A Mobile Communications Device,” filed Nov. 27, 2013, whichare hereby incorporated by reference.

Acceptable Proximity Detection, Monitoring, and Events

In an embodiment a system may initially determine whether there is anacceptable proximity between two objects and then may subsequentlymonitor proximity for a change in acceptable proximity. When a firstobject, device, or person approaches a second device, an initialdetection of proximity event takes place in the system. Depending on theconfiguration of parameters for acceptable proximity for a particularpurpose, this initial detection of proximity event may not result in adetection of acceptable proximity event occurring in the system. Whenthe first object, device, or person gets close enough to a seconddevice, a detection of acceptable proximity event takes place in thesystem. When the first object, device, or person increases distance froma second device sufficiently, or changes its position with respect to anacceptable proximity region or an acceptable proximity orientation aloss of acceptable proximity event takes place in the system. When afirst object, device, or person can no longer be detected, as, forexample, if a device is powered off and the system's method forproximity distance detection can no longer operate, then a loss ofacceptable proximity event takes place in the system.

In an embodiment, the system monitors the proximity of the first object,device, or person in an ongoing basis in order to detect changes inproximity state. The monitoring operation may be continuous, or periodicat substantially regular intervals, or may be triggered by the detectionof motion events which indicate that the first object, device, or personhas changed position and that therefore there may have been a change inacceptable proximity state. Motion events can be detected by the systemusing motion sensors on the first object, device, or person, or can bedetected using external sensors located on the second device, or anotherdevice or appliance in the environment which is in communication withthe system.

In another embodiment the system can at a later time interrogateinformation from a device which provides evidence that a device orobject is or has been within acceptable proximity distance.

Presence of a Person and Control of a Device by a Person

In an embodiment a system determines whether a person is present withinan acceptable proximity, or whether a person is in possession and byimplication in control of an object or device. The system may modify adevice's security or operational settings or perform authentication orauthorization operations using in part the person presence information.The establishment of the presence of a person is not the same as, and isindependent of, authentication and authorization issues. That is, thesystem may establish that a person (perhaps an unknown orunauthenticated person) is in a proximity region, or is in possessionand by inference control of a particular device. But the determinationof a person's presence in proximity to a device or possession of adevice is used in combination with other authentication andauthorization activities to enable the system make determinations orinferences regarding modifying a device's security or operationalsettings. There are many techniques and methods for establishing that aperson is in possession of a device.

In an embodiment a device that affords interaction, e.g., via a touchscreen or hardware controls or a keyboard or other forms of human inputdevices, can detect that an interaction is occurring and therebyestablish that a person is performing the interaction, and therefore aperson is present and in possession of that device.

In an embodiment a device which has motion sensors can detect that thedevice is in motion, and in particular, is in a classified movementmodality such as a pedestrian modality of movement (walking, running,exercising, etc.) or a human-driven non-motorized modality of movement(bicycling, skateboarding, etc.), and thereby establish that a person ispresent and causing the motion and therefore a person is in possessionof that device. The system may also have classification for activitieswhich are not traditionally considered movements, but which nonethelessinvolve patterns of activity in motion sensors (accelerometers,gyroscopes, etc.) which are recognizable. When a device is worn by aperson, or carried in the person's clothing, as in a pocket, or carriedin an external container such as a purse or backpack, or is implanted inor otherwise inside a person (e.g., having been swallowed), then thesystem on the device can detect and classify other activities whichdemonstrate user presence and possession of the device. For example, thesystem can classify the types of sensor readings that are associatedwith a person sitting in chair at a workstation. Typically a person isnot completely frozen or immobile in such a situation, rather there aresmall posture shifting motions, or vibrations detectable due to manualinteraction with objects in the environment (e.g., picking up a coffeecup, writing with a pencil on a paper, typing at a keyboard, moving thehand or arm to use a touchscreen on some other device, scratching anitch, etc.). In the same manner that the system uses classificationmeans for determining larger scale movement modalities the system usesclassifiers on sensor data to establish other activity modalities, suchas in the example above, sitting in a chair. Similarly, a person who isstanding in place is not completely motionless, there are small postureshifts, balance correction movements, articulated movement of theperson's limbs, movements of the head, and so on which generate motionsensor readings that enable the system to classify the activity as aperson standing. As previously described, such motion and activityclassification techniques are well known in the art.

In an embodiment a device, in particular a device which is carried by,worn by, or implanted or otherwise inside or affixed to a person hasbiometric sensors which indicate that the device is in possession of aperson. For example, a fitness band or smart watch or smart glasses ormedical monitor may have sensors which can detect the presence of aperson's pulse or electrocardiogram or brainwaves or body temperature orblood circulation or eye movement or blinking or other biologicalindicators that a person is present and in possession of the device.

In an embodiment a device may have a camera which can detect viacomputer vision techniques that a person or a person part (such as aface or a hand) is in the view of the camera that is part of or attachedto the device. The computer vision recognition of a person, or a part ofperson (which by ordinary implication is attached to a person) is usedby the system to establish that a person is present, and by implicationin possession of the device.

In an embodiment an external system that can detect the presence of aperson in a location or an area is in communication with the system toestablish the presence of a person, and using information about therelative location of the person and of a particular device, determinesthat when the person is present within an acceptable proximity of theparticular device that therefore by implication the person is inpossession of the device. For example, a motion detection system usingcomputer vision techniques or infrared and motion detection (such as areused for home security systems) establishes that a person is present andin a particular location; a device is known by the proximity, presence,authentication, authorization and control system to be in an acceptableproximity to the location of that person. The system determines thattherefore the person is in possession of that device.

In an embodiment an audio sensor or microphone is used by the system toreceive audio signals which indicate that a person is present. Forexample, the noises made by a person while walking, writing, breathing,or performing other activities can be detected and classified using wellknown means as activities which represent a human presence. In anotherembodiment the audio sensor or microphone can detect an audio signal asbeing a human voice and therefore evidence of a human presence.

It should be understood that any of the presence and possessiondetection techniques may deliver exact (yes, no) results, or may deliverresults with an uncertainty, as for example is done with fuzzy systems,where a fuzzy value in the range 0 (not present or not in possession) to1 (absolutely present or absolutely in possession) is returned.Operations by the system that combine results or perform inferences canuse fuzzy logic for combining fuzzy values, as is commonly done in theart for fuzzy control systems.

It should be understood that these presence and possession measurementmethods described above are exemplary and that any other method fordetermining the presence of a person or the possession of a device orobject by a person can be used to accomplish the presence and possessionmeasurement operations of the system.

Acceptable Presence and Possession Monitoring and Events

In an embodiment a system may initially determine whether there is apresence of a person or of a person in possession of a device and thenmay subsequently monitor presence and possession related information fora change in acceptable presence and acceptable possession.

In an embodiment the system, having initially determined that a personis in possession of a device, may have a time out period configured suchthat, if there is no new or confirming evidence of possession of thedevice by the person during the time out period, the system determinesthat it can no longer confidently conclude that the person is inpossession of the device, and thus concludes that the person is not infact in possession of the device any longer.

In an embodiment the system, having initially determined that a personis in possession of a device, may use motion and activity eventclassification techniques to determine that the person has placed thedevice into a part of the clothing worn by a person, for example, theperson placing a smartphone device into the person's shirt or pantspocket. The system determines that, barring other classified motion oractivity events which indicate that the device is being removed from thepocket, that the person is and continues to be in possession of thedevice. In this example, even if the person were to place a smartphonedevice into the person's pants pocket, and then lie motionless upon thefloor for a period of time, the system will ignore any configured timeout period, and will continue to maintain the determination that theperson is in possession of the device.

In an embodiment the system, having initially determined that a personis in possession of a device, may use motion and activity eventclassification techniques to determine that the person has placed thedevice into the person's body, for example, by the person swallowing asmart pill device, or the person placing a smart hearing aid device intothe person's auditory canal, or the person placing a smart contact lensdevice onto the cornea of the person's eye, or the surgical implantationor subcutaneous injection or topical skin application of a smart medicaldevice (such as a pain pump, insulin pump, cardiac pacemaker,implantable cardioverter defibrillator, orthopedic strain gauge sensordevice, injectable glucose sensor, injectable RFID or NFC chip,injectable or implantable EEDDs (Electronically Enabled [drug] DeliveryDevices), smart tattoo, brain or neural implant (for epilepsy control orbrain-computer interfaces (BCIs) or deep brain or nerve stimulation orsensory substitution or brain pacemaker, e-skin sensor device, bioniceye or organ replacement device or muscle or joint augmentation device,transcranial direct-current stimulation (tDCS) device, transcranialmagnetic stimulation (TMS) device, etc.). The system determines that,barring other classified motion or activity events which indicate thatthe device is being removed its position in or on the body, that theperson is and continues to be in possession of the device. In thisexample, even if the person were to place a smart contact lens onto theperson's cornea, and then lie motionless upon a bed for a period oftime, the system will ignore any configured time out period, and willcontinue to maintain the determination that the person is in possessionof the device.

In an embodiment the system, having initially determined that a personis in possession of a device, may use motion and activity eventclassification techniques to determine that the person has surrenderedpossession of the device. For example, a person may set a device downupon a stationary surface (e.g., upon a desk) or drop a hand carrieddevice, or have a device in a pocket of apparel slip out and fall, orhand a device to another person, or toss or throw a device. Each ofthese motion or activity events are classified by the system as of atype which involves the person formerly in possession of the devicelosing possession of said device. The system determines, based on suchan event, that the person is no longer in possession of the device.Other such triggering events are taking off or removing a device that isworn upon the body, such as a smart watch, smart glasses, fitness band,headphones, earbuds, etc.

In an embodiment the system employs object motion tracking technology(such as computer vision systems or motion trackers) to track the pathof a person or device or other object. For example, the system usingthis technology can determine that a person, who originally was withinan acceptable proximity of device, has moved away from to a distancethat is not acceptably proximate, and then has subsequently moved closeenough to the device to once again be acceptably proximate. Theinformation from the motion tracking system allows the security systemto determine that this is in fact the same person or device or objectfrom the earlier time.

User Authentication

In an embodiment the system performs an authentication step of a user.In such a step, according to methods well known in the art, the user canprovide something that the user knows (for example, a PIN or password oranswer to a secret question), or something that the use is (for example,a biometric such as a fingerprint, or a retinal scan, or a DNA sample ora characteristic electrocardiogram, or a characteristic brainwave, orthe user's face for a facial recognition system, or an observable andunique behavioral trait such as the user's gait while walking or theresult of the user creating a signature with a pen), or something thatthe user has (a key card, a smart card, a device such as a smartphone,an RFID or NFC tag, a physical key that unlocks a physical lock, etc.).The above forms of user authentication are well known in the art, andmay be used in combination with each other for a more stringent level ofauthentication. As will be discussed below, the system described in thisapplication employs user authentication in various combinations withacceptable proximity determination, acceptable person presence andpossession, and other factors to extend the realm of what is possible inauthentication, authorization, and changing security and operationalsettings of devices.

In another embodiment the security system component on a device observesan authentication operation performed by the user of the device. Theauthentication operation can be an authentication to an app running onthe device, or to a component of the operating system or virtual machineon the device, or to a virtual container for apps or data on the device,or to a trusted platform manager on the device, or to a password managerapplication or component on the device, or to a VPN or other securenetwork connection facility on a device, or to a webapp or websiteaccessed from the device. The security system component determineswhether the observed authentication operation was successful. When theauthentication operation was successful, the security system componentcreates an assertion that the current device user is known to be aspecific user (the username that was presented in the successfulauthentication operation) as authenticated by a particular authenticator(the app or component or service or website which performed theauthentication). This assertion is a form of inferred authentication(see the explanation of inferred authentication below) which thesecurity system component can use to present in a future authenticationoperation with a different device or app or service or website, in thecase where that authenticator will accept a third party assertion ofidentity from this trusted source. In an embodiment the security systemcomponent also records the additional information (other than theusername) that was presented in the initial authentication operation;such additional information can be a password, PIN, digital certificate,private key, shared secret, biometric information, or a signed or hashedversion of one of these pieces of information. The information so savedis a form of a derived key (discussed below).

Device Authentication

Various authentication processes can utilize various types of data toverify the authenticity of the devices. For example:

-   -   a device can provide an identification number (e.g. MAC address,        card identifier, EPC code) explicitly or as part of its        communication with the other device    -   a device can provide a secret code/key, which is matched a        secret code/key in the other device    -   mutual certificate verification (e.g. using TLS/SSL) can be        performed where both devices can validate the chain of trust of        the certificates each supplies.    -   an encrypted payload can be transmitted from one device to        another device having a decryption key (symmetric or        asymmetric), and where successful decryption of the payload        indicates a knowledge of a shared secret (symmetric key        encryption) or a private key (asymmetric key encryption),        thereby proving authenticity    -   each device can sign and encrypt data using each other's public        keys.

Inferred Authentication and Inferred Credentials

In an embodiment, the system uses a combination of user and/or deviceauthentications, and the detection and monitoring of acceptableproximity, the detection and monitoring of acceptable presence andacceptable possession to perform what is called inferred authenticationand/or to create what are called inferred credentials. In an embodimentthe system infers from the facts that firstly a user has authenticatedto a first device in the past, that secondly the first device is inacceptable proximity to a second device, and that thirdly the firstdevice is considered in acceptable possession of the authenticated user,that therefore the authenticated user can be automatically authenticatedto the second device without requiring any action by the authenticateduser.

It should be understood that the three elements upon which the inferenceis made by the system can occur in any order; it is only required thatall three elements have been determined in order for the system to makethe inference and to in response perform the authentication of the userto the second device.

It is important to distinguish the notion of an implied authenticationand an implied credential from that of a derived credential. Derivedcredential technology constitutes a technique for creating, storing, andpresenting a credential based upon a different credential. An inferredauthentication is an inference made by the system using information froman earlier user authentication with a credential, and the establishmentby particular system-specific techniques that the user is in acceptablepossession of the first device previously used to perform theauthentication operation, and that the first device is in acceptableproximity to the second device which requires the user to authenticate.The inference made by the system is that the user is present and shouldbe authenticated. A variety of techniques for actually performing theauthentication operation to the second device are used in the system.

In an embodiment the system creates a derived credential based upon thefirst authentication operation which is in turn used in performing theauthentication to the second device. In this embodiment there does nothave to be a component of the security system residing on the seconddevice; the second device sees an acceptable authentication in a mannerthat it already supports for authentication operations.

In another embodiment the security components of the system running onthe first device authenticates itself to the second device using asuitably protected key or secret or by demonstrating cryptographically aproof of knowledge of an authorizing key or secret to the second device;having done so, the now authenticated first device presents anassertion, the inferred authentication, to the security component on thesecond device, which performs the authentication operation on the seconddevice.

In an embodiment the system creates a derived credential based upon thefirst authentication operation which is in turn used in performing theauthentication to the second device. Derived credentials are well knownin the art, as described in the NIST Special Publication 800-63-1“Electronic Authentication Guidelines.” This NIST publication defines aderived credential as “a credential issued based on proof of possessionand control of a token associated with a previously issued credential,so as not to duplicate the identity proofing process.”

In other embodiments, the system uses a subset of the combination ofuser and/or device authentications, and the detection and monitoring ofacceptable proximity, the detection and monitoring of acceptablepresence and acceptable possession to perform an inferred authentication

In an embodiment, the system uses a user authentication, and a deviceauthentication, and the detection and monitoring of acceptableproximity, and the detection and monitoring of acceptable possession toperform an inferred authentication.

In an embodiment, the system uses a user authentication, and a deviceauthentication, and the detection and monitoring of acceptable proximityto perform an inferred authentication.

In an embodiment, the system uses a user authentication, and a deviceauthentication, and the detection and monitoring of acceptablepossession to perform an inferred authentication.

In an embodiment, the system uses a user authentication, and thedetection and monitoring of acceptable proximity, and the detection andmonitoring of acceptable possession to perform an inferredauthentication.

In an embodiment, the system uses a device authentication, and thedetection and monitoring of acceptable proximity, and the detection andmonitoring of acceptable possession to perform an inferredauthentication.

In an embodiment, the system uses a user authentication, and a deviceauthentication to perform an inferred authentication.

In an embodiment, the system uses a user authentication, and thedetection and monitoring of acceptable proximity to perform an inferredauthentication.

In an embodiment, the system uses a user authentication, and thedetection and monitoring of acceptable possession to perform an inferredauthentication.

In an embodiment, the system uses a device authentication, and thedetection and monitoring of acceptable proximity to perform an inferredauthentication.

In an embodiment, the system uses a device authentication, and thedetection and monitoring of acceptable possession to perform an inferredauthentication.

In an embodiment, the system uses the detection and monitoring ofacceptable proximity, and the detection and monitoring of acceptablepossession to perform an inferred authentication.

In an embodiment, the system uses a user authentication to perform aninferred authentication.

In an embodiment, the system uses a device authentication to perform aninferred authentication.

In an embodiment, the system uses the detection and monitoring ofacceptable proximity to perform an inferred authentication.

In an embodiment, the system uses the detection and monitoring ofacceptable possession to perform an inferred authentication.

In an embodiment, the system uses a plurality of a first device orobject, a second device or object, an external sensor system or networkappliance, or a server to run components of the security system.

In an embodiment the security system components run as apps on a device,or as components of the operating system, or as part of a virtualmachine running underneath or on top of the operating system, or as partof firmware in a hardware component of the device, including a motioncoprocessor, a baseband processor, a graphics processor, or a neuralprocessor, or within a protected container such as a trusted executionenvironment on a device, or on a server to which other system componentsconnect over a network connection, or as a component or part of anetwork appliance such as a router, switch, bridge, or wireless accesspoint.

In an embodiment the rules for acceptability of proximity oracceptability of presence or acceptability of possession are specifiedby an authorized user of the device, or by an organizationaladministrator responsible for the device or the servers or networks orservices to which it connects, or by a carrier or operator of a networkto which a device connects, or by a manufacturer of the device orhardware or firmware components of the device, or a combination thereof.

In and embodiment the security system performs an inferredauthentication using a prior inferred authentication.

Actions in Response to Authentication and Authorization

In an embodiment the security system takes various actions in responseto a user authentication or a device authentication or the detection ormonitoring of acceptable proximity, or the detection or monitoring ofacceptable person presence, or the detection or monitoring of acceptableperson possession of a device. The actions may be directed by anycomponent of the security system, regardless of where the component isexecuting, and may affect any of the systems or devices upon which thesecurity system is running, or other external sensor systems or networkappliances or servers to which the devices are connected. The actionsthe security system takes include a plurality of: changing a securitysetting or state on a device; changing an operational setting or stateon a device; modifying criteria regarding acceptable proximity, personpresence, or person possession; locking or unlocking or suppressing theautolocking of a device; encrypting or decrypting or backing up orwiping data on a device; making, breaking, or altering characteristicsof existing network connections or making new network connections;enabling or disabling or restricting access to or uninstalling orinstalling or executing particular applications or services on a device;enabling or disabling access to a particular network resource such as awebsite or a cloud service; obtaining a device's location and sending itto a server; obtaining audio or video or a photograph of the device'scurrent user or environment, and sending it immediately or after a delayor in response to a request from a server for that information, to aserver; providing or suppressing communications via voice calls or SMSor MMS or other text messaging or voice communications (such as VOIP) onthe device; or controlling the operation of a protected data orapplication container on a device, including authorizing its use orpreventing its use; assessing the device's security state or settings orvulnerabilities or presence of malware; or performing pre-configuredoperations such as running certain scripts or applications or systemservices which were configured by a user or administrator to beconditional upon the successful completion of an authenticationoperation, whether of a user or a device or an inferred userauthentication.

In an embodiment the security system modifies its criteria foracceptable proximity, person presence, or person possession in responseto changes in the context of a plurality of devices upon which securitysystem components are executing or to which they are connected via anetwork.

Other Example Use Cases

The following examples illustrate embodiments of the subject matterdisclosed herein.

A. Automatic Unlock/Login when a Key Device is Detected

In this use case, the target device 200 is configured to be locked whenit turns on or after a period of inactivity. When a key device 210enters the target device's proximity, the target device 200 candetermine that it is an allowed key device 210. When such is the case,the target device 200 can automatically unlock. When the key device 210exits the proximity, the target device 200 automatically locks.

In an embodiment, the target device 200 can be a personal computer (PC)112 and a mobile phone 101 can be the key device 210. The phone and thePC may use BLUETOOTH to communicate. The PC can be paired with keydevice(s) 210 in a configuration phase and therefore, they canauthenticate each other. Once configured, the PC can monitor nearbyBLUETOOTH devices and can connect to known paired devices, including keydevices 210. One or both of the devices may be able to be connected(“page scan” mode) and one or both of the devices may frequently betrying to connect to the other. When a connection between the PC 200 andthe phone 210 is complete, the simple act of a connection from a pairedkey device 210 may be sufficient to unlock the PC 200. In addition, atleast a portion of the PC's storage can be encrypted, and when theconnection is complete, the storage can be encrypted and/or decrypted bya key that is stored only on the key device 210.

Alternatively, additional authentication steps can be performed betweenthe mobile phone and the PC prior to unlocking the PC. For example, thedevices can validate each other's certificates. In addition, the phoneand the PC can perform a challenge/response against previously exchangedpublic keys. When the connection is over an encrypted BLUETOOTHconnection, authentication is provided implicitly. When the connectionis over a local network, e.g., Wi-Fi hotspot, a network peer discoveryprotocol can be used to connect, and the devices 200, 210 can thenperform mutual authentication (e.g. SSL with client and servercertificates), or perform mutual authentication using a networkbroadcast protocol with challenge responses. In another embodiment aprovider of a Wi-Fi network service may have several logical or virtualnetworks set up using the same or different networking hardware. Forexample, a corporation may have two Wi-Fi networks set up,CORP-COMPANY-WI-FI (intended for official company PCs or other devices)and CORP-GUEST-WI-FI (intended for BYOD or personal devices of employeessuch as smartphones). Wireless Access Points can use the same hardwarewith different Access Control Lists (ACLs) which can filter or restricttraffic on the two different networks. In such a situation the usualbroadcast-based or multicast-based peer discovery protocols on LANs donot work; devices connected two the two different networks will notordinarily see network broadcast traffic from each other, even thoughthey are using the same networking hardware. In an embodiment peernetwork discovery between such devices is facilitated using additionalACLs which allow broadcast or multicast network traffic from a specificdevice, e.g., a user's smartphone, connected to a guest network, to beforwarded specifically to a different device, e.g., the user's PC, on adifferent network, the corporate network. In a different embodiment,peer network discovery between such devices is facilitated usingadditional ACLs which allow broadcast or multicast network traffic froma specific device, e.g., a user's PC, connected to the corporatenetwork, to be forwarded specifically to a different device, e.g., theuser's smartphone, on a different network, the guest network. In adifferent embodiment both devices are connected to a cloud-based orserver-based rendezvous server to facilitate discovery across differentnetworks. In another embodiment, the services of a peer-to-peercommunications framework such as the Allyjoyn framework from the AllSeenAlliance is used to accomplish the peer-to-peer discovery operation. Inthis specification any of the above embodiments for peer-to-peer networkdiscovery are used, and when reference is made to two devices being onor connected to the same network, it is intended to mean that they areon the same physical or logical network, or they have establishednetwork communication using a peer-to-peer discovery operation such asthe ones described above. In a specific embodiment, two devices areenabled to be in communication on a network, even when they are ondifferent physical or logical networks. In a specific embodiment, twodevices can be on the same network because they are on the same physicalnetwork, but may be on different logical networks. In another specificembodiment, two devices can be on the same network because they are onthe same logical network, but may be on different physical networks.

In another embodiment, prior to unlocking the PC 200, the phone/keydevice 210 must be in a specific state. For instance, when the devices200, 210 initially connect via BLUETOOTH, the mobile phone 210 canprovide its side of mutual authentication or the PC's encryption keyonly when its screen is unlocked. Once a connection is established, thephone 210 can continue to provide its side of mutual authentication evenwhen its screen is locked. In this case, so long as the user 110 isusing the PC 200 and so long as the devices are connected, the PC 200remains unlocked. When the connection is broken, the PC 200 canautomatically lock.

When the devices 200, 210 are connected but the user is not using the PC200, it might be desirable to lock the PC 200 by terminating thisconnection. For example, when the user 110 sets the phone 210 down onthe user's desk, and walks away from both the phone 210 and PC 200, itmight not be desirable for the devices to continue providing mutualauthentication because the user 110 is no longer in the vicinity. Inthis case, determining whether the user 110 is in the vicinity can beaccomplished using sensors in the phone 210 that can sense when thephone 210 is placed on a stationary surface or when the phone 210 is onthe user's person. For instance, an accelerometer can detect smallmotions as the user shifts position, or just breathes and can detectwhen the phone placed on the user's desk by identifying a SET-DOWNevent, i.e., a downward spike in accelerometer reading, followed byrelative inactivity of sensor.

In this case, if the phone 210 is placed on the desk, but the usercontinues to type on the PC keyboard next to the phone, the phone sensorcan detect the ADJACENT-TYPING event and continue to authenticatebecause there is evidence that the user 110 is present. But if the usergets up and walks away, the phone sensors will show very littleactivity. In such a situation, e.g., no activity or interaction oneither phone or PC, and evidence that phone is resting on desk and nouser actions are going on in vicinity, the key device 210 can stopauthenticating, which effectively breaks the connection between the PC200 and the phone 210. In an embodiment, the inactivity timeout time canalso be shortened for both devices 200, 210 and/or both devices can beautomatically locked. Moreover, to verify the absence of the user 110,cameras on both the PC and the phone can be configured to search for theuser 110 and when neither device senses the presence of the user 110,the PC can lock immediately regardless of the current lock/unlock stateof either of the devices 200, 210.

In another embodiment, the phone can be the target device 200 and thekey device 210 can be a Wi-Fi network. In this case, the phone 200 canbe configured to unlock when the phone 200 connects to the network 210.In one embodiment, there is no special configuration of the Wi-Finetwork, and the phone 200 uses the connection state of the network as asignal for proximity-based access control. In another embodiment, thedevice 200 interacts with the network infrastructure or a device on thenetwork to properly authenticate the network 210, e.g. using EAP formutual authentication. In either case, once the connection isterminated, the phone 200 can automatically lock.

B. Changing Security Settings when a Key Device is in Proximity

In this use case, the target device 200 typically implements varioussecurity measures such as locking the device 200 after a period ofinactivity, controlling VPN tunnel traffic, controlling network traffic,and authentication requirements. According to an embodiment, when a keydevice 210 enters the target device's proximity, the target device 200can automatically modify the security measures.

For example, when a PC is within range of a mobile device, e.g.connected to the same Wi-Fi access point or any other proximitydetection mechanism, the PC's security setting can be changed to allow a10 minute idle timeout before it automatically locks or to disable theidle timeout altogether. When the mobile device is not in range, theidle timeout can be changed to 30 seconds. In another example, one ormore key devices 210 can be placed in a building structure as fixedproximity BLUETOOTH beacons. When target mobile devices and computers200 come within the range of the key device(s) 210, the target devices200 can automatically disable or lengthen their respective idle timeoutmechanisms. As soon as the target mobile devices/computers 200 are notin proximity of the beacon(s) 210, they can change to automatic lockingbehavior.

In another example, the key device 210 is a local network thatbroadcasts data indicating to a target mobile device/computer 200 thatit is a secure network. In response to detecting the local network, thetarget device 200 can change its security settings regarding networktraffic because it does not need to encrypt the traffic. Accordingly,data traffic, which would ordinarily be routed through a secure tunnel,e.g., a VPN, need not be routed in such a manner and can be routeddirectly via the secure network.

In an embodiment, when the key device 210 indicates that the user 110 isat work, or when the target device 200 detects the key device 210 anddetermines that the user is at work, the security settings of the device200 can be changed to require a simple password be validated locally tounlock a locally stored encryption key. Otherwise, when outside of work,the security settings of the device 200 can require that the password bevalidated with a server to access its encryption key.

In another embodiment, an authenticated connection between the targetdevice 200 and the user's home Wi-Fi network, indicating that device isat home in a secure location, can disable the lock mechanism on thedevice 200 to keep the device unlocked. Alternatively, there can stillbe a timeout lock for this scenario that may be longer than a normallock timeout period. In this embodiment, when a user returns home andthe device 200 automatically connects to the user's home Wi-Fi network,the device 200 will unlock automatically, or will have a button for“home Wi-Fi unlock” on the device unlock screen that can be pressed tounlock the device 200.

C. Access to Specific Network Resource when in Proximity

An organization may only want to provide access to a sensitive networkresource when a computer or mobile phone is used from one of thoseorganization's facilities. Traditionally, this problem is solved byputting the network resource on a private portion of the network,requiring devices wishing to access the network resource to be presenton that private network segment. This can be accomplished by physicallyconnecting devices to that network segment (e.g. ethernet or Wi-Fi), orby using a VPN to create a tunnel to that virtual network segment.Managing private network segments across multiple locations isproblematic from a complexity standpoint, and oftentimes preventsadministrators from locating services on public cloud infrastructure.

If a service is on a de-perimeterized network that does not have privatenetwork segments (e.g. has a publicly accessible IP address), theproblem of access control based on a user device being on a particularorganizationally owned network is solved by the device wishing to accessthe service retrieving a “proof” that it is on an allowed network andproviding that proof to the service, which permits access if the proofis valid. For example, a local network may have a local service that isaccessible only to devices on that local network that will sign requestswith its private key. A device on that network receives a challengerequest (e.g. random data) from a service it wishes to access, providesthat challenge request to the local service, which signs the request andreturns it to the device as a response. The device then sends theresponse to the service. The service validates the digital signatureagainst a known valid public key for the local service (or validcertificate chain) to determine if the device is actually in proximityto the local network.

The local service may alternatively be a BLUETOOTH beacon in a facility.

The local service may be implemented as an overridden DNS entry on alocal DNS server so that if a device attempts to resolve the serviceaddress outside of the network it either does not resolve or resolves toa public service whereas if the address is resolved inside the privatenetwork, it resolves to the private service.

A service may be integrated with a single-sign-on (SSO) provider thatannotates a sign-on request with the security level or proximityinformation for the network. For example, if a user uses a SSO providerthat relays secure information to a service to prove that the user hassigned on (e.g. via HMAC or a digitally signed or otherwiseauthenticated bundle), the SSO provider may be implemented to also addinformation as to the location of the user's network by having twoversions of the SSO service: one on the private network that is usedwhen a user is on that private network (e.g. using the DNS method orother methods above) and another that is used when a user is on a publicnetwork. One will appreciate that a variety of other methods ofinforming the SSO service of proximity information for an accessingdevice is possible.

D. Network Infrastructure that Provides Proof of Proximity and NetworkType

In this use case, a router or other piece of network infrastructure(e.g. small cell, switch, server on network) has a certificate and aprivate key, which can be issued at manufacture time or provisioned byadministrator. A discoverable network service is provided where clientsissue requests to be signed that prove that the client is connected tothat network. Clients can receive a signed response and provide that toa web service, which receives the signed token and is configured todetect fraud. When fraud is detected, the authenticity of the networkcan be less trustworthy. Networks that have low incidences of fraudincrease the confidence that the device is in a secure location.Certificates may state that the router is a home router vs. a hotel vs.public location. The service can make decisions, e.g. route all trafficover SSL, based on the type of network the user is connected to.

E. Tiered Access Control to a Device or Service

According to an embodiment, a simple password can be required when thedevice is in proximity of a trusted network. Otherwise, a multi-factorauthentication (e.g. password+proximity token or rotating key token[e.g. RSA SecurID]) can be required if the device not in proximity to atrusted network.

In another embodiment, a server can require less authentication when ona trusted network. This can be based on a source IP address of thedevice. When the server is on a private network segment, the virtue ofbeing able to connect to it is different than if a device connects to apublic server.

F. Alert when Device Leaves Proximity

A target device can detect proximity of a nearby key device. When thetarget device detects that the key device leaves its proximity, itcreates an alert. The alert can be a loud sound, a vibration, a messagetransmitted to a server, and/or a combination of any of the above. In anembodiment, the target device can also retrieve its current location andstore that location locally or on a server so that, later, a user cansee where the key device was last in proximity to the target device.When the key device comes back within proximity, the target device canbe configured to terminate the alert.

According to an embodiment, the target device can determine whether thekey device leaves its proximity in an expected way (e.g. powered off) orin an unexpected way (e.g. no longer in range). In this case, the targetdevice can differentiate its behavior based on this determination. Forexample, no alert will be created and a silent record of the location ofthe proximity leaving event if the key device leaves proximity in anexpected way, and if the key device leaves proximity in an expected way,a loud sound is emitted.

In a BLUETOOTH implementation environment, determining when a deviceleaves the proximity of another device can be based on pings, e.g. L2CAPEcho (see http://www.palowireless.com/bluearticles/adapt.asp), or 2-wayRFCOMM echo/echo response protocol (seehttp://code.google.com/p/btstack/wiki/RFCOMM) and when too many timeoutsin a row occur. Determining whether the leaving is unexpected orexpected can be based on a disconnect reason (BLUETOOTH differentiatesbetween a remote side initiated disconnect and a link failure). In anembodiment, the BLUETOOTH controller can inform its host when a remotedevice is not responding before it has reached a timeout state.Accordingly, the device can determine the earliest point when the otherdevice left its proximity.

G. Multiple Proximity Technologies can be Used

According to an embodiment, any combination of the proximity techniquesdescribed above can be used to determine the presence of the key device210. For example, a combined NFC/BLUETOOTH technique can be used. Inthis case, a target device may require both a BLUETOOTH connection andan NFC connection to the key device to log a user into that device. NFCrange has physical limitations while BLUETOOTH has higher throughput soit can engage in larger data exchanges.

Alternatively or in addition, a first proximity technology can be usedto detect the presence of the key device and a second proximitytechnology can be used to detect the absence of the key device. Forexample, a target device can use NFC to determine proximity to the keydevice to log a user in because of the short range physical proximityneeded, but can use BLUETOOTH to maintain the persistent proximitydetection because it does not require that the key device be kept invery close proximity.

According to an embodiment, the target device 210 can utilize aninductive proximity technology, such as NFC, to draw power from the keydevice to charge its own battery. For example, when the target device200 is in the range of an NFC field of the key device 210, the targetdevice can use inductive coupling to both charge its battery and totransfer the NFC data. In an embodiment, the key device can be awallet-sized card that contains a slim battery and a radio and that isconfigured to communicate using both NFC and BLUETOOTH technologies.

H. Anti-Theft Mechanism

In an embodiment, a PC or mobile device (e.g., an iPad used for arestaurant menu, a POS terminal, a corporate on-premise laptop) islocked and inaccessible if not in proximity to a key device/beacon/othernetwork. In an embodiment, the only way to unlock the device can be byproximity, and no other alternative login mechanism is available. Aftera certain period of time, the target device may wipe its contents orrender the hardware inoperable if not brought within proximity to thekey device/beacon/other network.

I. Using the Key Device to Secure Encryption

An encrypted device, e.g., a PC or mobile device, typically does nothave direct access to its own encryption keys because when encryptionkeys are stored directly on the encrypted device, they can be discoveredusing forensic analysis and the encrypted data can be compromised.Typically, the encryption keys are stored in a secure hardware elementon the device, or on a server which requires network connectivity todecrypt the device. Alternatively, password-derived keys (e.g. PBKDF2)are used which make the strength of the encryption only as strong as theuser's password which, much of the time, has a low degree of entropy.

In this use case, however, the key device stores an encryption key orkeying material that is used to decrypt an encryption key. Accordingly,when a user wishes to access encrypted data (e.g. opening a securedapplication, logging in or booting up the encrypted device, accessing asecure file/folder), proximity to the key device is required so that theencrypted target device can receive the encryption key or can receivekeying material useful to produce the encryption key (e.g. if theencryption key is stored on the encrypted device but encrypted with asecondary key stored on the key device, or if the data is encryptedusing M of N keying so that multiple subkeys are needed to actuallydecrypt the data on the encrypted device). In order to protect the keydevice's encryption key or keying material, the key device authenticateswith the encrypted target device. This may be built into the proximitydetection mechanism (e.g. BLUETOOTH) or performed at the applicationlayer using SSL or a challenge response mechanism.

J. Verified Geo-Location

In an embodiment described above, the security settings of the targetdevice 200 can change based on the target device's 200 geo-location. Insome cases, the geo-location mechanism in the target device 200 can bemanipulated to fool the system so that the security settings can bechanged to allow access to resources when such access should be denied.For instance, some agent on the target device 200 can provide spurious,incorrect geo-location information, so as to obtain access toinformation or services that are accessible only when the target device200 is in a specific geo-location or region.

To prevent this, in an embodiment, the key device 210 can include ageo-location security mechanism that is configured to verify ageo-location of a nearby target device 200. In an embodiment, the targetdevice 200 can be configured to determine its geo-location informationand to transmit it to the key device 210 comparison and verification.The geo-location security mechanism in the key device 210 can beconfigured to receive the geo-location information from the targetdevice 200, and to verify the target device's location against either aknown location or its own determined geo-location. When the receivedgeo-location information matches the known location of the key device210, the geo-location security mechanism can digitally sign the targetdevice's geo-location information and provide the signed locationinformation either directly to the secure system or service or networkelement requiring the geo-location verification, or indirectly via thetarget device 200. Because the information is digitally signed, itcannot be impersonated, altered, or replayed.

When the target device is not configured to determine its geo-locationinformation, the target device can transmit a request for itsgeo-location to the key device, which can then return a digitally signedgeo-location. In an embodiment, as an added measure of security, thetarget device 200 can transmit the signed geo-location to a server whichcan verify the digital signature to determine that the geo-location isauthentic.

In another embodiment, a GPS satellite system can physically transmitdigitally signed messages so that when the target device 200 is notwithin the beam of the satellite's transmitter, it cannot receive thedigitally signed messages. Alternatively, the target device 200 caninclude a hardened GPS hardware or software module that is physicallyand/or digitally secure from tampering. This module can receive GPS anddigitally signs its results before providing them to other physical ordigital components on the device 200. For example, a GPS radio on adevice, may receive an instruction to start acquiring a position. Whenthe GPS returns its position, it digitally signs the position data andthe current time using a digital certificate it has embedded in itbefore transmitting it on a hardware bus or putting the position datainto memory. In an embodiment, each GPS device has a unique digitalcertificate that is signed by a certificate authority. A consumer of thelocation information can then verify the authenticity of GPS locationssigned by devices in the field. If a single device is compromised, itscertificate can be revoked without resulting in the compromise of otherdevices.

K. Building Authentication

Typically, current building access control systems do not monitorproximity. Rather, they merely register that somebody has been in theproximity of an access control device, e.g., when they swipe a card atan access control device such as a turnstile, secure door, or elevator.In this case, the detection is that a user has recently badged into thebuilding. For example, if it is a Monday morning, and the user has beenout of the office for 12 hours, the system will not let that user accessany resources on the corporate network until the user swipes his or herbadge at the building access control elevator/door/etc. Alternatively,instead of blocking logins, the logins will throw an alarm for buildingor IT security.

In this use case, the key device 210 can be configured to interact withthe building access control system and thereby can provide evidence thatthe user 110 is present in the building. In an embodiment, the keydevice 210 can be a badge or magnetic card that includes proximitytechnology (e.g. HID, MIFARE, ISO-14443) and that can be detected whenit is presented/swiped at an access control device such as a turnstile,secure door, or elevator. Other access control devices can includesecurity cameras and motion detectors, which can be used to correlatephysical entry into a building, physical presence (based on motiondetection, facial recognition, gait recognition or other identificationtechnologies), and digital presence (login to a mobile device orcomputer). When a request to access resources in the building isreceived by a server, the building access control system can determinewhether the key device 210/user 110 has been detected, and if so, cangrant access to the resources. When the key device 210/user 110 has notbeen detected, the server can deny access to the resource.

In an embodiment, if the building access control system has not detectedthe user's presence for a specified amount of time, the system canprevent the user 110 from accessing any resources on the corporatenetwork until the user swipes his or her badge at the building accesscontrol elevator/door/etc. Alternatively or in addition to blockinglogins, the logins can throw an alarm for building security.

In another embodiment, when the key device 210 is detected by thebuilding access control system, a message can be transmitted to a serverfrom the building access control system. Moreover, whenever a user logsinto a computer, the computer can transmit a message to the serverinforming the server of the login. In an embodiment, based on themessages from the computer and from the building access control system,the server can determine whether the computer is being accessed remotelywhen the messages from both the building access control system and thetarget computer indicate that the user's key device 210 was not detectedor has not been detected recently. Alternatively, the server candetermine whether the computer is being accessed in an unauthorized waywhen the message from the building access control system detects thepresence of the user in the building but the message from the targetcomputer does not detect the user's presence. In this case, the servercan interact with a calendaring system to determine if the user 110 issupposed to be on vacation or elsewhere.

In another embodiment, when the user's key device 210 is detected, thebuilding access control system can change various security settings inthe building that are associated with the user 110. For example, theuser's PC 140 a can be unlocked, the user's office door can be unlocked.Moreover, the copy machine or coffee machine or lock for the kitchenpantry may require proof that an authorized user is the one accessingthe resource. Such resources may not themselves have proximity sensorsor logic that permit them to directly sense the presence/proximity ofthe user's key device 210. Nevertheless, they may have a communicationconnection to the building access control system, which does have adistributed capability to sense location and relative proximity of theuser's key device. By knowing that location, plus knowing thepreconfigured or dynamically detected location of the resource for whichaccess is being attempted, the resource can make the determinationwhether the user's key device is in proximity to the resource where theaccess attempt is occurring.

In another embodiment, the building may also have compartmentalizedsecurity areas. For example, if there are multiple rooms, or points ofsecurity, then a computer in one area may automatically lock when theuser leaves one area. For example, a user works in an office area andthere is one point of security between that area and a kitchen. When theuser uses his or her key to access the kitchen, his or her computerautomatically locks and/or a server automatically logs him or her out.In an embodiment, when the user re-enters the secure area, the computerunlocks and/or the server logs him or her back in.

L. Automatic Logout/Security Change when Key Device is not Near

A target device may be configured to automatically lock when a keydevice leaves its proximity regardless of whether the proximity of thekey device is used as a login mechanism. In an embodiment, the targetdevice can be configured to use a particular distance range ofcommunication that is acceptable; the distance range can be estimated bysignal strength of the communication. The target device traveling beyondthe configured distance from the key device either locks immediately orbegins a configurable countdown timer until the device is locked.

Alternatively or in addition, a device's camera can be used to detectwhether a user is sitting in front of the computer and used to log auser out if there is no user directly in front of the computer. Multiplelogout methods can be combined to minimize the chance of unauthorizedaccess (e.g. inactivity, proximity, and camera-based detection). Inanother case, a pad that includes an NFC reader or tag can be providedso that a device on or near the pad can act as a reader or tag anddetermine proximity to the pad. When the device is no longer inproximity to the pad, the device changes security behavior, e.g. turnson activity timeout, lock, changes level of login required.

M. Context Related Key Devices

In an embodiment, different types of key devices for different contextscan be provided, which when detected, can change the behavior of thetarget device 200 to suit the context. For example, when a key device isassociated with and in the user's car; its detected presence impliesthat the user is in the user's car and device settings can auto adapt,e.g., enabling a BLUETOOTH connection to an in-car hands-free device.

In another embodiment, the target device can be connected to an NFC keydevice 210 embedded in a tabletop or bar surface can be used, and whenthe target device is moved beyond the near field of the key device, amovement alarm can be activated for the target device and/or alternatemeans of identification will be required. In an embodiment, anotherdevice of the user or of a friend can be the key device for login or foralarm. Alarms can be configured to notify other devices such as phonesof a friend in a group that is out together.

Other devices such as PCs can be auto logged in by the key devicedirectly or indirectly by a device that is logged in directly. Forexample, when the key device is detected by the target device, thetarget device can communicate to the nearby PC that the user is nearbyand that the PC should be logged in with the user's login credentials.In this scenario, a person sitting in front of the user's personal orhome PC will see the PC automatically log the user in.

N. Onetime or Limited Access Passwords

Onetime or limited access passwords can be setup for a friend or familymember to access the user's target device for a limited set of apps, appgroups (e.g., games or news or books) or other features. A different keydevice can be associated with a limited login (e.g., a family member'skey device can be associated on the primary user's target device with alimited purpose login).

Different phone settings or app activations/deactivations can betriggered by detected presence of context key devices. This can includecommunications flows that are triggered by the detection of a keydevice. For example, when the target device detects a key device for abuilding elevator or door, the target device can initiate apreconfigured communication with an external system to authenticate tothat system, which directs the elevator to go to the user's primaryauthorized floor or the door lock to open the door.

O. Login Via a Service

In an embodiment, when the target device 200 is locked and the user 110wishes to log in, or when the user 110 is using the target device 200 tolog in to a web-based service, login credentials and/or form data can beautomatically provided by the key device 210 when the target device 200detects the presence of the key device 210. In an embodiment, the targetdevice 200 can transmit a request for the information to the detectedkey device 210 and the key device 210 can return the information to thetarget device 200. In the website case, the credentials can be presentedby the target device 200 to the website. Thus, in this embodiment, thekey device 210 can be a password manager that is accessed by an agent onthe target device 200.

In another embodiment, the target device 200 can require a multiplelevels of authentication from sources including multiple key devices210. In this case, the target device 200 can require userinteraction/input in addition to detecting the presence of more than onekey device 210 associated with the user 110.

Alternative Architectures

The various processes described above make reference generally to theembodiment of FIG. 2, where the target device 200 runs an operatingsystem 209. Applications 208 are installed on the device, stored usingthe file system 203 of the device, and run under the control of the OS209. In that embodiment, the provision of the proximity based controlsystem 202 and of the applications 208 on the target device 200 allowsfor local operation and management of these functions. In anotherembodiment, the applications may be located elsewhere, and inparticular, on a server device or system interacting with the targetdevice 200. The following configurations rely on applications installedonly on the server, with files stored in the file system of the server.

FIG. 4A illustrates another embodiment of the system for changing asecurity behavior of a device based on proximity of another deviceaccording to an embodiment. As in FIG. 2, the target device 200 has aprocessor controlled through an operating system 209 selectively runningvarious applications 208. Also included are a display screen 205 and afile system 203. In this embodiment, however, there is an associatedserver 250 coupled with the target device 200. The server 250 has itsown operating system 270 and corresponding file system 266, as well asapplications 258. The server 250 in this embodiment is intended as amaster control point for the device 200, as well as any other of theuser's devices. Thus, rather than having particular applicationsinstalled and running on the target device 200, these applications 258are installed on the server and controlled from the server 250. This maybe viewed as a particular form of virtualization. Applications 258 inthis architecture are not installed as applications 208 directly on thedevice 200. Rather, they are installed as applications 258 on the server250, and stored in the file system 266 on the server 250.

When a user 110 wants to run an application 258, the target device OS209 requests that the server OS 270 provide the necessary files, such asapplication executables and associated data, to the target device 200.The server OS 270 sends the necessary files to the target device OS 209in response to the request. The device OS 209 stores these filestemporarily in the file system 203, and then executes the application.Any modifications to the files made while the application is running onthe target device 200 may be either immediately sent to the server 250so that the modifications can be made immediately to the correspondingfile(s) on the server, or saved and dealt with at a later time, whichmay be after the application has finished running, or is still running,at which time the modifications are sent to the server 250 so that adecision can be made whether to make the corresponding modifications,and to do so if appropriate. Such decisions may be made based onsecurity and privacy policies in place on the server.

After the application has finished running, the files on the targetdevice 200 are marked for removal, which may happen immediately or at alater time. If the same application is initiated again while thenecessary files still reside on the device (e.g., the files have not yetbeen removed), and the files are the same version, then the device 200can use these local copies rather than requesting copies of thenecessary files again from the server 250. In this way, the local filesystem 203 on the device acts like a local cache for the necessaryfiles, but the definitive and permanent version of the applicationresides on the server 250 and its file system 266. In this embodiment,the device 200 does not interact with the server 250 with regard toproximity and/or login.

FIG. 4B illustrates another embodiment of the system for changing asecurity behavior of a device based on proximity of another deviceaccording to an embodiment. This embodiment is similar to FIG. 4A inthat server applications are permanently installed and run from theserver 250, and not directly on the device 200. However, in thisembodiment there is no local file system on the target device 200 a, sothat executable files and associated data cannot be locally stored onthe device 200 a. Instead, any necessary files requested from the serverOS 270 are placed directly into memory on the device 200 a and executed.Any file reads or writes by applications running on the device 200 a aredirected by the target device OS 209 via the server OS 270 to the serverfile system 266. No application data is stored locally on the device 200a, only in the file system 266 on server 250. Applications exist in thememory of the device while they are being executed or prepared forexecution, but after the application has ended, these sections of memoryare marked for removal/reuse. If an application is initiated again bythe user while a copy of the application executables remain in memory,and it is the same version as is held by the server 250, then the deviceOS 209 may simply use that local memory copy rather than requesting itagain from the server 250. In this configuration, the device 200 a is apure execution engine for applications and has no permanent file system.Moreover, the device 200 a does not interact with the server 250 withregard to proximity and/or login.

In the embodiments of FIGS. 4A and 4B, any network operations from arunning application on the device 200, 200 a may optionally be routedthrough the server 250 so that the server OS 270 (or specialapplications running on the server) can provide security and/or privacyoperations on network communications initiated by the runningapplication. Such a configuration is an alternative to networkoperations being conducted directly from the device 200, as in FIG. 2.

An alternative embodiment is shown in FIG. 4C, where applications 258are installed and run on the server 250 a, and executable files andassociated data files are stored in the file system 266 of the server.In this embodiment, the target device 200 b does not run theapplications on the device OS 209 at all, but instead, the applications258 are run on the server OS 270, and requests by the application todraw to screen are sent by the server OS 270 to the device OS 209, withthe drawing operations taking place on the display screen 205 of thedevice 200 b. Requests by the application 258 for user input, such astouch, taps, typing, etc., are sent from the application 258 via theserver OS 270 to the device OS 209, and the user input is gathered fromany local sensors or devices configured on the device 200 b (e.g., froma touch screen on the device). In this configuration, the device 200 bis a pure display and user interaction engine for applications, and doesnot run applications on the device 200 b.

According to an embodiment, the device 200 b can interact with theserver 250 a with regard to proximity and/or login. In this case, theserver 250 a is the device actually running the application (with thedisplay appearing on device 200 b). User interaction occurs on device200 b (and local sensors/communications such as NFC or BLUETOOTH), withall inputs passed along for processing to server 250 a. When the device200 b senses the presence of the key device 210, it can send the sensedinformation to the server 250 a for processing. In an embodiment, thefunction of the proximity based control system 202, 252 can bedistributed between the device 200 b and the server 250 a in that thedisplay, interaction, communications, and sensor features are operatingon the device 200 b via the proximity detection module 204 and thesecurity behavior modification features are operating on the server 250a via the behavior modification module 256. Alternatively, the proximitybased control system 202, in an embodiment, can operate independently ondevice 200 b.

All of the alternative embodiments described above can all be viewed asa form of containerization. Containerization, or sandboxing, is atechnique of program isolation used to enforce security or privacypolicies. In each of these alternative embodiments, some or all of theexecutables and/or data reside on the server 250, and not on the targetdevice 200. Therefore, an enterprise could use any one of thesealternative architectures as a containerization solution. For example.the user's personal applications 208 could be installed upon and runconventionally on the device 200, but all enterprise data andapplications 258 could be run from one of the server-based architecturesof FIGS. 4A-4C. All existing types of mobile containerization arevulnerable to attacks against data that is physically stored on thedevice 200. Nonetheless, in the alternative embodiments described above,there is no permanently stored application data on the device, and thusthe threat to data security is reduced.

There are generally three types of sandboxing:

Type 1: a hypervisor upon which one or more virtualized operatingsystems run that are completely sandboxed;

Type 2: in which a virtualization layer runs atop the native operatingsystem on a device, and a guest operating system (and applicationswithin it) run within that virtualization layer; and

Type 3: application wrappers, content wrappers, and work space wrappers,which tend to be application-oriented types of virtualization that arefunctionally oriented and although similar to type 2 do not represent afull virtualization layer with a guest operating system. In this case,the work space itself is an application which runs other applicationsand enforces isolation (see, e.g., “Mobile Device Sandboxing 101,”http://fixmo.com/blog/2012/05/11/mobile-device-sandboxing-101).

Any of the three types of containerization can be employed on the serverside in conjunction with any of alternative architectural modelsdescribed above.

In addition, any of the three alternative configurations described abovewith reference to FIGS. 4A-4C could be implemented in a baseconfiguration, that is, with all modifications made to the operatingsystem on the device. Alternatively, any of three hybrid configurationscould be implemented with modifications made to the operating system onthe server. For example, in a Type 1 containerization scenario, one ofthe virtualized operating systems is a modified operating system on theserver. A Type 2 containerization scenario may have a virtualizationlayer running atop the host operating system which contains a guestoperating system that is a modified operating system on the server. AType 3 containerization scenario may have an application wrapped so asto virtualize access to files, displays, and sensors.

In a specific implementation, a method includes while a mobilecommunication device is locked and connected to a network, detecting, bya proximity detection module in the mobile communication device, that akey device is connected to the same network as the mobile communicationdevice, in response to the mobile communication device and the keydevice being connected to the same network, unlocking, by a behaviormodification module, the mobile communication device, after the step ofthe unlocking, by the behavior modification module, the mobilecommunication device, determining that the mobile communication deviceand the key device remain connected to the same network, and based onthe determination, maintaining, by the behavior modification module, themobile communication device in an unlocked state. In a specificimplementation, the detecting may be triggered when the mobilecommunication device is powered-on or is woken from a sleep orpower-saving state. The detecting may occur while electronic display ofthe mobile device is turned off.

The method may further include detecting, by the proximity detectionmodule, that the key device is no longer connected to the same networkas the mobile communication device, and in response to the key device nolonger being connected to the same network, locking, by the behaviormodification module, the mobile communication device.

The method may further include upon expiration of a time period ofinactivity after which the mobile communication device will be locked,checking whether the key device is connected to the same network as themobile communication device, if the key device remains connected to thesame network, not locking the mobile communication device, and if thekey device is no longer connected to the same network, locking themobile communication device.

The method may further include after the step of unlocking the mobilecommunication device, periodically checking, by the proximity detectionmodule, whether the key device is connected to the same network as themobile communication device, if a periodic check indicates that the keydevice is not connected to the same network as the mobile communicationdevice, locking the target device, and if the periodic check indicatesthat the key device is connected to the same network, not locking themobile communication device.

The key device may include glasses or eyeglasses.

The step of unlocking the mobile communication device may includeunlocking the mobile communication device into a first mode having afirst level of functionality, and the method may further include whilethe mobile communication device is in the first mode, receiving anunlock code, if the unlock code is correct, unlocking the mobilecommunication device from the first mode to a second mode having asecond level of functionality, greater than the first level offunctionality, and if the unlock code is incorrect, maintaining thefirst mode on the mobile communication device. The mobile communicationdevice may include an operating system.

In a specific implementation, the step of detecting that the key deviceis connected to the same network as the mobile communication deviceincludes receiving a message broadcast from the key device, wherein themessage comprises a Media Access Control (MAC) address that matches aMAC address stored at the mobile communication device.

In another specific implementation, the step of detecting that the keydevice is connected to the same network as the mobile communicationdevice includes broadcasting a message from the mobile communicationdevice over the network for the key device, and receiving a reply fromthe key device responsive to the broadcasted message.

In a specific implementation, a method includes determining, by aproximity detection module in a mobile communication device, whether akey device is near the mobile communication device, and if the keydevice is not near the target device, allowing, by a behaviormodification module in the mobile communication device, an unlock screento be presented on an electronic display of the mobile communicationdevice.

The method may include if the key device is near the mobilecommunication device, bypassing the unlock screen. Bypassing the unlockscreen may include allowing a screen following an unlock code to bedisplayed on the electronic screen of the mobile communication devicewithout the unlock code having been inputted to the mobile communicationdevice. The screen following the unlock code may be referred to as ahomepage or homescreen.

In a specific implementation, the method further includes determiningthat the key device is near the mobile communication device, after thedetermination, allowing the unlock screen to be presented on theelectronic display of the mobile communication device, receiving anunlock code input into the unlock screen, if the unlock code is correct,unlocking the mobile communication device into a first mode based on theunlock code being correct and the key device being near the mobilecommunication device, if the unlock code is incorrect, unlocking themobile communication device into a second mode based on the unlock codebeing incorrect and the key device being near the mobile communicationdevice, where a level of functionality of the mobile communicationdevice in the second mode is different from a level of functionality ofthe mobile communication device in the first mode.

A number of functions available on the mobile communication device inthe first mode may be greater than a number of functions available onthe mobile communication device in the second mode.

In a specific implementation, the method includes determining that thekey device is near the mobile communication device when the key deviceand the mobile communication device are connected to the same accesspoint.

In another specific implementation, the method includes determining thatthe key device is near the mobile communication device when a strengthof a signal from the key device is above a threshold value.

In another specific implementation, the method includes determining thatthe key device is near the mobile communication device when the keydevice and the mobile communication device are in the same geographicalarea.

In a specific implementation, a method includes displaying on anelectronic screen of a mobile communication device an unlock screencomprising an input box for an unlock code, and an option to check for apresence of a key device, receiving a selection of the option, checking,by a proximity detection module of the mobile communication device, forthe presence of the key device, if the presence of the key device isdetected, unlocking the mobile communication device without receivingthe unlock code, and if the presence of the key device is not detected,not unlocking the mobile communication device.

In a specific implementation, the step of unlocking the mobilecommunication device includes unlocking the mobile communication deviceinto a first mode having a first level of functionality, while themobile communication device is in the first mode, receiving the unlockcode, if the unlock code is correct, unlocking the mobile communicationdevice from the first mode to a second mode having a second level offunctionality, different from the first level of functionality, and ifthe unlock code is incorrect, maintaining the first mode on the mobilecommunication device.

In a specific implementation, the step of unlocking the mobilecommunication device includes after expiration of a time period ofinactivity after which the mobile communication device will be locked,checking whether the key device is near the mobile communication device,if the key device is near the mobile communication device, not lockingthe mobile communication device, and if the key device is no longer nearthe target device, locking the mobile communication device.

CONCLUSION

Some specific flows are presented in this application by way of example,but it should be understood that the process is not limited to thespecific flows and steps presented. For example, a flow may haveadditional steps (not necessarily described in this application),different steps which replace some of the steps presented, fewer stepsor a subset of the steps presented, or steps in a different order thanpresented, or any combination of these. Further, the steps in otherimplementations may not be exactly the same as the steps presented andmay be modified or altered as appropriate for a particular process,application or based on the data.

In the description above and throughout, numerous specific details areset forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of an embodimentof this disclosure. It will be evident, however, to one of ordinaryskill in the art, that an embodiment may be practiced without thesespecific details. In other instances, well-known structures and devicesare shown in block diagram form to facilitate explanation. Thedescription of the preferred embodiments is not intended to limit thescope of the claims appended hereto. Further, in the methods disclosedherein, various steps are disclosed illustrating some of the functionsof an embodiment. These steps are merely examples, and are not meant tobe limiting in any way. Other steps and functions may be contemplatedwithout departing from this disclosure or the scope of an embodiment.

What is claimed is:
 1. A method comprising: while a mobile communication device is locked and connected to a network, detecting, by a proximity detection module in the mobile communication device, that a key device is connected to the same network as the mobile communication device; in response to the mobile communication device and the key device being connected to the same network, unlocking, by a behavior modification module, the mobile communication device; after the step of the unlocking, by the behavior modification module, the mobile communication device, determining that the mobile communication device and the key device remain connected to the same network; and based on the determination, maintaining, by the behavior modification module, the mobile communication device in an unlocked state.
 2. The method of claim 1 comprising: detecting, by the proximity detection module, that the key device is no longer connected to the same network as the mobile communication device; and in response to the key device no longer being connected to the same network, locking, by the behavior modification module, the mobile communication device.
 3. The method of claim 1 comprising: upon expiration of a time period of inactivity after which the mobile communication device will be locked, checking whether the key device is connected to the same network as the mobile communication device; if the key device remains connected to the same network, not locking the mobile communication device; and if the key device is no longer connected to the same network, locking the mobile communication device.
 4. The method of claim 1 comprising: after the step of unlocking the mobile communication device, periodically checking, by the proximity detection module, whether the key device is connected to the same network as the mobile communication device; if a periodic check indicates that the key device is not connected to the same network as the mobile communication device, locking the target device; and if the periodic check indicates that the key device is connected to the same network, not locking the mobile communication device.
 5. The method of claim 1 wherein the key device comprises glasses.
 6. The method of claim 1 wherein the step of unlocking the mobile communication device comprises unlocking the mobile communication device into a first mode having a first level of functionality, and the method comprises: while the mobile communication device is in the first mode, receiving an unlock code; if the unlock code is correct, unlocking the mobile communication device from the first mode to a second mode having a second level of functionality, greater than the first level of functionality; and if the unlock code is incorrect, maintaining the first mode on the mobile communication device.
 7. The method of claim 1 wherein the mobile communication device comprises an operating system.
 8. The method of claim 1 wherein the step of detecting that the key device is connected to the same network as the mobile communication device comprises: receiving a message broadcast from the key device, wherein the message comprises a Media Access Control (MAC) address that matches a MAC address stored at the mobile communication device.
 9. The method of claim 1 wherein the step of detecting that the key device is connected to the same network as the mobile communication device comprises: broadcasting a message from the mobile communication device over the network for the key device; and receiving a reply from the key device responsive to the broadcasted message.
 10. A method comprising: determining, by a proximity detection module in a mobile communication device, whether a key device is near the mobile communication device; and if the key device is not near the target device, allowing, by a behavior modification module in the mobile communication device, an unlock screen to be presented on an electronic display of the mobile communication device.
 11. The method of claim 10 comprising: if the key device is near the mobile communication device, bypassing the unlock screen.
 12. The method of claim 11 wherein the step of bypassing the unlock screen comprises: allowing a screen following an unlock code to be displayed on the electronic screen of the mobile communication device without the unlock code having been inputted to the mobile communication device.
 13. The method of claim 10 comprising: determining that the key device is near the mobile communication device; after the determination, allowing the unlock screen to be presented on the electronic display of the mobile communication device; receiving an unlock code input into the unlock screen; if the unlock code is correct, unlocking the mobile communication device into a first mode based on the unlock code being correct and the key device being near the mobile communication device; if the unlock code is incorrect, unlocking the mobile communication device into a second mode based on the unlock code being incorrect and the key device being near the mobile communication device, wherein a level of functionality of the mobile communication device in the second mode is different from a level of functionality of the mobile communication device in the first mode.
 14. The method of claim 13 wherein a number of functions available on the mobile communication device in the first mode is greater than a number of functions available on the mobile communication device in the second mode.
 15. The method of claim 10 comprising: determining that the key device is near the mobile communication device when the key device and the mobile communication device are connected to the same access point.
 16. The method of claim 10 comprising: determining that the key device is near the mobile communication device when a strength of a signal from the key device is above a threshold value.
 17. The method of claim 10 comprising: determining that the key device is near the mobile communication device when the key device and the mobile communication device are in the same geographical area.
 18. A method comprising: displaying on an electronic screen of a mobile communication device an unlock screen comprising an input box for an unlock code, and an option to check for a presence of a key device; receiving a selection of the option; checking, by a proximity detection module of the mobile communication device, for the presence of the key device; if the presence of the key device is detected, unlocking the mobile communication device without receiving the unlock code; and if the presence of the key device is not detected, not unlocking the mobile communication device.
 19. The method of claim 18 wherein the step of unlocking the mobile communication device comprises: unlocking the mobile communication device into a first mode having a first level of functionality; while the mobile communication device is in the first mode, receiving the unlock code; if the unlock code is correct, unlocking the mobile communication device from the first mode to a second mode having a second level of functionality, different from the first level of functionality; and if the unlock code is incorrect, maintaining the first mode on the mobile communication device.
 20. The method of claim 18 wherein the step of unlocking the mobile communication device comprises: after expiration of a time period of inactivity after which the mobile communication device will be locked, checking whether the key device is near the mobile communication device; if the key device is near the mobile communication device, not locking the mobile communication device; and if the key device is no longer near the target device, locking the mobile communication device. 